Micheál Martin
Ceist:120. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken collectively or on an individual basis with EU leaders since the most recent European summit. [25656/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 June 2018
Ceisteanna (120, 121, 122)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:121. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has written to or spoken with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Viktor Orbán, recently. [24561/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMicheál Martin
Ceist:122. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the Prime Minister of Italy since his appointment. [24562/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 122, inclusive, together.
I last met with Prime Minister Viktor Orban on 4 January 2018, and I reported extensively on this engagement in the Dáil on 31 January 2018. I have not met with the Prime Minister formally since then, although we both attended the Informal EU Summit and High Level Conference on the Sahel in Brussels in February, the European Council in Brussels in March, and the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia in May. I recently wrote to Mr Orban on the occasion of his re-election, and wished him well in his role as Prime Minister of Hungary.
I have not yet had an opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Conte of Italy, but I have written to congratulate him on his appointment and to wish him well in his new role. I look forward to meeting him at the European Council in Brussels later this month.
My bilateral engagement with EU and international counterparts is ongoing, and remains crucial in relation to Brexit and other important EU issues.
In this context, I look forward to meeting the new Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, in Madrid on Thursday 14 June.
I am also scheduled to meet with the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, in Dublin on 21 June, and with the Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, in Dublin on 9 July.
In addition to such scheduled bilateral meetings, I meet and speak regularly with my EU counterparts at formal and informal meetings of the European Council, where I use every opportunity to advance Ireland's interests. I will of course attend the next meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 28 and 29 June.