Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

410. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which positive steps continue to be taken to influence the future of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24678/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland’s priorities for the Future of Europe still remain closely aligned with the delivery of the EU Strategic Agenda agreed by the European Council in June 2019.

These priorities include protecting citizens and freedoms; developing a strong and vibrant economic base; building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe; and promoting European interests on the global stage. It reflects many of Ireland’s priorities as defined in the National Statement on the European Union which was published by the Government in April 2019.

While Covid-19 has impacted progress of the Agenda, the priorities defined in the Agenda are still relevant in guiding the EU’s recovery from the COVID pandemic in the years ahead. Flexibility will be required by both member states and the EU Institutions as we all work together to both meet the objectives of the Strategic Agenda and also achieve a full recovery together.

Europe will not recover from the current COVID crisis without the support of its citizens and to this end, the Conference on the Future of Europe will engage citizens in a debate about Europe’s future challenges and priorities. Over the next year, a series of debates and discussions will be held all across the EU, including Ireland, that will enable citizens from every corner of Europe to share their ideas to help shape Europe’s future.

A multilingual digital platform, which facilitates citizen submissions, was launched in Brussels on 19 April. Reflecting the conference theme, “The future is in your hands”, this platform enables citizens to share ideas on any topic they consider important for the future of the EU, comment on others’ submissions, create and participate in events. To date, over 7,700 participants have made over 1,500 suggestions and over 400 events have been registered on the platform.

In Ireland, our aim is to have an inclusive conversation with Irish and other EU citizens living across the island of Ireland, to ensure that all of our voices are heard during this process. The national launch of the Conference will take place on 14 May with a programme of events being launched shortly thereafter.