Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
55. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out his views on the EU reform proposals from the Franco-German expert group which were presented to the General Affairs Council on 19 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/23]
View answerMy colleague, Minister for European Affairs, Peter Burke, T.D., attended the meeting of the General Affairs Council on 19 September at which two members of the Franco-German expert group presented their report and recommendations to the Council.
The expert group, comprised of twelve independent members from both France and Germany, was established by the French and German governments as a contribution to the ongoing discussion about how the European Union may need to adapt its structures and policies in order to cater for further Enlargement.
The report’s recommendations cover three main areas: increasing the Union’s capacity to act, getting the EU enlargement ready, and strengthening the rule of law and the EU’s democratic legitimacy. Both the French and German governments have made clear since the expert group report was published that it does not represent the official view of either country.
My Department, in conjunction with other concerned stake-holders, is still examining the report which sets out a series of wide-ranging and, in many cases, radical recommendations. These include the proposal to abolish national vetoes and move completely to have all policy decisions taken by qualified majority. The report also calls for a reduction in the size of the Commission and offers a series of suggestions for Treaty change, including the drafting of a supplementary Treaty which would provide for deeper European integration and be restricted to what the report calls “an inner circle”.
I have consistently made clear my strong support for Enlargement of the Union and recognition that we as a Union should be prepared to consider whatever internal changes are required to accommodate the integration of new Members. It remains my view that many of the changes required, including greater use of QMV where required to make decision-making more effective, can be incorporated within the existing Treaty and legal framework.
