Gerry Adams
Ceist:12. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagement with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr. Viktor Orbán, on 4 January 2018. [1287/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 January 2018
Ceisteanna (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:13. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Viktor Orbán, on 4 January 2018. [1288/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Micheál Martin
Ceist:14. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Hungary; the meetings that were held; and the issues that were discussed with Mr. Viktor Orbán. [1382/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Seán Haughey
Ceist:15. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if the issue of European immigration was raised when he met Mr. Viktor Orbán while in Hungary. [1447/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Hungary and his meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. [1680/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:17. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Prime Minister of Hungary. [1789/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerry Adams
Ceist:18. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagement with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Mr. Boyko Borisov, on 5 January 2018. [1830/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Joan Burton
Ceist:19. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Viktor Orbán, on 4 January 2018. [1834/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoan Burton
Ceist:20. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the contact he has had with the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Mr. Boyko Borisov, since Bulgaria assumed the Presidency of EU on 1 January 2018. [1835/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:21. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visits to Hungary and Bulgaria. [3094/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (12 píosaí cainte)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 21, inclusive, together.
I travelled to Budapest on 4 January for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and onwards to Sofia on 5 January to meet Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. I was accompanied on both visits by the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Helen McEntee. The meeting with Prime Minister Borisov was an opportunity, in particular, to have detailed discussions about plans and priorities for the incoming Bulgarian Presidency of the Council over the next six months. The visits were also part of the Government's ongoing programme of political engagement with EU partners in the context of discussions on the future of Europe and the Brexit negotiations.
Agendas for both meetings included Brexit; enlargement of the European Union, particularly into the western Balkans; the need to ensure the EU remains economically competitive; the post-2020 European budget; and bilateral relations. I thanked both Prime Ministers for their support and understanding on the specific Irish concerns arising from Brexit. This was especially important in facilitating the agreement reached at the European Council in December, allowing negotiations to proceed to the second phase. In reply, both Prime Ministers expressed their continuing support for ensuring the commitments entered into are delivered in full, including in the legal text. While Brexit does not affect countries in central and eastern Europe in the way it affects Ireland, I am reassured that Bulgaria and Hungary are 100% behind Ireland's position.
In addition, we agreed on the need to provide certainty to our citizens and businesses on the nature of a period of transition and to begin to shape the framework for the United Kingdom's future relationship with the European Union. Both Prime Ministers agreed that this future relationship should be as close as possible. I will continue to work closely with them and our other EU partners as this work advances in 2018.
Regarding the western Balkans and their perspective for EU accession, this issue is of strategic importance to both Hungary and Bulgaria owing to their geographic proximity to the western Balkans. It is also one of the Bulgarian Presidency's key priorities. I reaffirmed Ireland's support for the eventual accession of the western Balkan states to the European Union once the necessary conditions have been met. The EU has been a driver of peace and prosperity and the forging of closer links with this region will be of benefit to the countries of the western Balkans in bringing growth and stability. In this regard, I pointed to the important role of the UK's and Ireland’s shared membership of the EU in securing peace on this island. I am, therefore, reassured that the countries of central and eastern Europe view Brexit as we do and that we view the western Balkans as they do.
On EU competitiveness, I emphasised the importance of unlocking the full potential of the digital Single Market. Both Hungary and Bulgaria are fully supportive and agree that this is crucial to supporting the growth and jobs of tomorrow.
On the EU budget, I had very constructive exchanges with both Prime Ministers on the need to ensure Europe is equipped with a budget to meet the challenges of the future. This is a debate that will get fully under way in 2018, including at next month's informal European Council meeting on 23 February.
Both Prime Ministers expressed their concern to ensure adequate Cohesion Funding and both agreed the need for continued support for the Common Agricultural Policy.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Orbán, I raised the issue of rule of law in Hungary and the concerns raised by the European Commission and others regarding freedoms of the press and judiciary, which I share. I also raised the Hungarian law on non-governmental organisations and its law on higher education which threatens the Central European University in Budapest and for which Hungary has been referred to the European Court of Justice. I also discussed with the Prime Minister our differing views on Europe's approach to managing migration. This matter has been difficult and divisive in recent years, including the question of quotas. As always, ensuring progress depends on dialogue and seeking to forge a genuine consensus which will allow the European Union to respond effectively.
In my meeting with Prime Minister Borisov, I congratulated him on the ambitious programme set for the Bulgarian Presidency and assured him of Ireland’s commitment to working with him and his team in making the Presidency a success. Its slogan, United We Stand Strong, and the key themes of consensus, competitiveness and cohesion capture very well the essential needs of the European Union at this time.
Prime Minister Borisov briefed me on Bulgaria's relations with its neighbours, Turkey and Russia, and geopolitical implications, including for energy supply. He expressed the hope that Bulgaria would join the euro as soon as possible and I expressed my full support for the country doing so.
Ongoing political engagement with our EU and international partners will remain crucial, particularly as the Brexit negotiations proceed. I will continue to meet my counterparts and use every opportunity to advance Ireland's interests.
I have been asked why I did not make explicit reference to these visits when informing the House of my travel plans on 13 December 2017. As Deputies will be aware, it is not customary to announce a visit until the host is ready to do so, which was not the case at the time. Plans and arrangements were still being advanced. However, I stated at the time that other arrangements, including meetings with European partners, were being prepared. This reflected the position at the time. I can confirm that the Prime Minister of Estonia, Mr. Jüri Ratas, will visit Dublin this week.
I make no criticism of the Taoiseach's decision to meet the Hungarian Prime Minister. Dialogue is important if differences are to be resolved between parties. However, the Government of Prime Minister Orbán is one of the most regressive governments in the European Union, especially in respect of its anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant policies. Did the Taoiseach raise concerns about the Hungarian Government's approach to human rights with Prime Minister Orbán? Did he discuss with the Prime Minister the European Union's approach to the issue of migrants?
We know that an Amnesty International report in December accused EU leaders of knowingly being complicit in the torture and exploitation of thousands of migrants held in the detention camps in Libya run by the Libyan coastguard. Has the Government investigated these complaints? Has it raised any concerns in relation to these complaints with its EU partners? Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the EU programme is functioning properly?
The Taoiseach discussed the issue of Brexit with both the Hungarian and Bulgarian Prime Ministers. Last week in Davos, the Taoiseach called for a Norway-plus deal for Britain. Is this the approach supported by Michel Barnier? The Taoiseach acknowledged that his proposal would have to be a specific agreement, as there is no precedent for this type of relationship. That being the case, why does the Taoiseach not also argue for the North to have designated status within the EU? We are constantly told that there is no precedent for this, but if he is prepared to propose a Norway-plus model without precedent, then why not also propose a designated special status model for the North? Has the Taoiseach or any of his officials actually spoken to the British Government about proposing such a Norway-plus model? I think it is important that the House would be informed.
Finally, Government Departments have been advised to provide contingency plans, including emergency legislation, in the event that the EU and Britain do not arrive at a deal on Brexit. This is especially important in the context of today's leaked documents on the analysis carried out by the British Government on the economic impact, which showed that the North would be one of the worst hit areas. Will the Government publish these contingency plans, and will the Opposition be briefed on the content of these contingency plans?
We have fewer than two minutes remaining. Would Members agree to carrying the questions over until tomorrow?
(Interruptions).
We will go to the Taoiseach for an answer.
I would like to ask a question.
You cannot because we are 20 minutes late.
I formally suggest that we accept the Ceann Comhairle's proposal, and we roll over the balance of this until tomorrow.
Do you want to raise your question now, Deputy Howlin?
In one minute?
Yes.
Can I get a little bit more time tomorrow?
In truth, I was surprised that the Taoiseach added a visit to Budapest to meet Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to the schedule. When I specifically asked him on 13 December to list meetings, it was not listed. It is surprising. I have some experience in government, although obviously not at the Taoiseach's level, and I understand that meeting Prime Ministers is not done overnight. There is normally a very long lead-in in arranging diaries of this sort, so I was surprised that we were not advised in advance.
In regard to the discussion with Prime Minister Orbán, the Taoiseach indicated that he raised a number of human rights issues. My concern is this that there is a debate now on the future of Europe and on whether it will continue to be the liberal Europe we joined and had an aspiration for, based on fundamental rights and on the European Convention on Human Rights that is the legal basis for the developments in our Union. Did the Taoiseach put those points to the Prime Minister, and what did he say to in response? Did the Taoiseach receive any specific requests from any Hungarian non-governmental organisations, NGOs, to meet with him? Did he meet with any NGOs, human rights groups or opposition parties when he was in Budapest?
That concludes the questions. We will carry over the remainder of the questions until tomorrow. We must now move to questions to the Minister for Finance.