Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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275. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied with the express aim of the new German government to see the European Union transformed into a federal state along the lines of Germany itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60333/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I very much welcome the agreement now reached between the SPD, Greens and FDP parties in Germany that will allow a new German Government to take office this week. Germany is a key partner for Ireland and I look forward to working closely with my new German counterpart over the coming weeks and months as we advance joint Irish-German priorities.

I have noted the references in the Programme for Government of the new German coalition relating to the Conference on the Future of Europe and, in particular, their wish that the Conference should lead to a constitutional convention and the further development of a federal European State which is decentralised and organised according to the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Ireland's approach to the Conference on the Future of Europe is that it is an important initiative seeking to promote greater deliberative democracy within the EU which we fully support. We have made clear that it needs to be a citizen-led process, with the greatest weight attached to the views of ordinary citizens rather than that of Member States or institutions such as the European Parliament or European Commission. This approach has informed our national programme in Ireland, led by my colleague, Minister of State Thomas Byrne, which has involved extensive outreach to community groups and sectors, particularly those whose voice is seldom heard on issues related to Europe.

This approach is one which is also shared by a large number of Member States who, along with Ireland, consistently argue within the Council for a policy-first, citizen-led discussion within the Conference.

Minister Byrne and I will continue to work to encourage as many voices as possible within Ireland, including EU citizens living in Northern Ireland, to have their say in relation to the Future of Europe within the Conference framework. A number of Citizens' Panels, comprising 800 citizens randomly selected across Europe, are currently meeting and their deliberations and recommendations will be accorded particular weight when the final report on the Conference is prepared by its Plenary and submitted to the Conference Executive Board next year. Sixteen Irish citizens are participating within the four Panels, one of which is scheduled to hold its final decisive session in Dublin in early February.