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EU Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Questions (140)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

140. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the progress of EU reform. [45640/18]

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Written answers

The debate on the future of Europe was launched by the Heads of State and Government of the EU27 in Bratislava in September 2016. The European Commission subsequently published a White Paper on the issue and followed it up with a series of Reflection Papers on EU finances, harnessing globalisation, defence, the social dimension and completion of economic and monetary union.

In September 2017, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, launched the ‘Leaders’ Agenda’, an ambitious work programme running until the European Parliament elections in 2019 which puts the European Council at the heart of decision-making process.

The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, T.D., is actively engaged in the Leaders’ Agenda, which has so far dealt with issues such as education and culture, migration, Economic and Monetary Union, taxation, MFF, innovation and digital economy, and internal security.

Last November, I joined the Taoiseach and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, T.D., in launching a Citizens’ Dialogue on the future of Europe.

The public were invited to contribute to the wider European debate by attending one of these events or making a submission online. Regional events were held in counties Galway, Meath, Cork and Donegal, as well as an NGO forum in Dublin. The series culminated in the National Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, on Europe Day, 9 May last.

Last month my Department published a Report on the Citizens’ Dialogues. This will help to inform Ireland’s contribution to the wider debate which is expected to culminate in a special Informal Summit in Romania next May, where leaders will prepare the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024.

In advance of this Summit, we will publish a statement of our strategic priorities for the European Union.

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