Micheál Martin
Ceist:95. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he had bilateral meetings at the European Council meeting in October 2017. [44683/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 25 October 2017
Ceisteanna (95)
Freagraí scríofa
Meetings of the European Council always provide useful opportunities to meet and interact with the Heads of State or Government of the other 27 EU Member States. I attended the October European Council in Brussels last week and, over the course of the two days, had the opportunity to engage with several of my EU counterparts.I was also 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.