Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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9.To ask the Taoiseach to report on his most recent meeting with the President of France; and if the subject of managing migration at EU level was discussed.[35337/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I met with President Macron in the Élysée Palace on Tuesday 27 August in Paris. We discussed bilateral relations and current EU and international issues.

I took the opportunity to congratulate President Macron and through him the people of France on hosting a very successful Olympic Games, as well as offering my best wishes for the Paralympic Games.

As our closest EU neighbour, Ireland’s bilateral relations with France have gone from strength to strength in recent years. We discussed the further deepening of this relationship across a range of areas, including energy, trade, tourism, education and culture.

Ireland and France are also both committed EU Member States. As a new European Parliament and European Commission begin their work, we discussed important issues on the European Council agenda in the period ahead, including bolstering Europe’s competitiveness.

We discussed the war in Ukraine and reiterated our condemnation of the illegal and unjustified war of aggression perpetrated by Russia.

We also discussed the very serious situation in the Middle East, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. I emphasised the importance of the European Union collectively using all the levers at its disposal to bring about an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

While in Paris I also attended events in support of Team Ireland’s participation in the 17th Paralympic Games.