Tom Neville
Ceist:27. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk. [41825/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 24 October 2018
Ceisteanna (27)
Freagraí scríofa
I meet and speak regularly with my EU counterparts, bilaterally, and at formal and informal meetings of the European Council.
I had a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, in Brussels on 4 October. We discussed progress in the Brexit negotiations and other issues on the EU agenda in advance of the October European Council.
President Tusk re-iterated his ongoing solidarity for Ireland in ensuring that a robust and legally watertight version of the backstop is agreed as part of the Withdrawal Agreement with the UK.
I had further engagement with him in the margins of the October European Council, although I did not have a formal meeting with him on that occasion.
Ongoing political engagement with our partners remains crucial, regarding Brexit and other important EU issues. I will continue to engage closely with our EU partners, including the EU institutions, in the period ahead and to use every opportunity to defend Ireland's interests.
Questions Nos. 28 to 34, inclusive, resubmitted.