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European Council Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Questions (90, 91, 92, 93, 128, 129)

Micheál Martin

Question:

90. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the discussions at the October EU Council on the ongoing situation in Madrid following the referendum in Catalonia; if triggering Article 155 was discussed. [45684/17]

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Micheál Martin

Question:

91. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met with or spoke to the Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in or around the October 2017 EU Council meeting. [45685/17]

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Micheál Martin

Question:

92. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he spoke with or met French President Emmanuel Macron at the October 2017 EU Council meeting; and the issues that were discussed. [45686/17]

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Micheál Martin

Question:

93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met with Prime Minister May at the October 2017 EU Council meeting; and the issues they discussed, in particular, if Northern Ireland was discussed. [45688/17]

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Micheál Martin

Question:

128. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met Chancellor Merkel when he attended the October 2017 EU Council meeting. [46508/17]

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Micheál Martin

Question:

129. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the discussion at the October 2017 EU Council meeting regarding the international nuclear agreement and Iran. [46509/17]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 93, inclusive, 128 and 129 together.

I attended the European Council in Brussels on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 October. The agenda included Migration; Digital Europe; Security and Defence; and External Relations. The Future of Europe was discussed over breakfast on Friday. There was then a European Council Article 50 - without the UK - which discussed progress in the Brexit negotiations.

Iran was discussed as part of the the external relations items on Thursday evening. France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the EEAS all voiced their strong support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and confirmed that it continues to function. This is a key element of the nuclear non-proliferation global architecture, and is crucial for the security of the region. Ireland together with all other Member States has re-affirmed our commitment to all parts of the JCPOA, and to its continued full implementation.

Neither the situation in Catalonia nor Article 155 of the Spanish constitution was discussed.

I was invited, along with the Dutch Prime Minister, to join the leaders of the Nordic and Baltic countries - Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - for a meeting ahead of the European Council discussions. Although Ireland is not part of a formal group in the EU, as a small northern European nation with an open economy, we have similar positions on many issues, particularly economic issues. I was very pleased therefore to attend this meeting with like-minded partners and to have the opportunity to share our views, including on the future of Europe debate.

I had no bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Michel, President Macron, Chancellor Merkel or Prime Minister May in the margins of the October European Council although I did, of course, greet and interact with these and other colleagues over the course of the European Council itself.

The Future of Europe was discussed over breakfast on Friday 20 October. This came in the context of an ongoing process, and discussions at a series of informal Summits in Bratislava, Valletta, Rome and Tallinn.

President Juncker and President Macron have also recently made useful contributions to the debate on the Future of Europe and possible EU reforms. At the meeting on Friday 20 October, it was agreed that the unity of the EU is particularly important and there was general support for the process proposed by President Tusk, on the basis of his ‘Leader’s Agenda.’

I expressed strong support for this approach and thanked President Tusk for taking the time to speak informally to all the 28 Heads of State or Government in advance of the meeting.

It is important that we approach the debate on the future of Europe in a positive way - membership of the European Union has been and will remain very important to Ireland. I will continue to engage actively and to seek to use our influence to shape this debate in a way that reflects our priorities and concerns.

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