Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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26. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a request by the Spanish government that Basque, Catalan and Galician be recognised as official languages of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50183/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has always been a strong proponent of multilingualism and encouraging of the greatest possible access by all EU citizens to the EU and its Institutions and highlighted this at the General Affairs Council in September where the proposal from the Spanish Government was first discussed. It was clear at that meeting that further consideration of all potential implications, including any legal, financial and administrative impacts, was needed for the Council to come to a considered decision on the matter. Ireland welcomed Spain's commitment to provide this additional information.

At the October General Affairs Council, Spain updated Member States and undertook to prepare a revised and more detailed proposal, including in relation to providing criteria for the recognition of additional official languages. This revised proposal has not yet been circulated. It is anticipated that at the General Affairs Council on 15 November, a State of Playwill be delivered on the proposal.

While discussions remain ongoing, Member States, including Ireland, have been generally supportive of the proposal, in recognition of the importance we place on multilingualism.