Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It was done to bring about a greater awareness of European issues and to make the Taoiseach more accountable to the Dáil as regards his approach to European Council meetings. While they are helpful, the Dáil is a long way from mandating what the Taoiseach should do at European Council meetings, as is the case in some other EU member states. Be that as it may, I welcome the opportunity to raise a few issues concerning the European Council meeting later this week.

I warmly welcome the decision of the Cabinet to appoint my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, as European Commissioner. Ireland is nominating a senior Minister for this post and is doing so in good time, thus increasing our chances of obtaining a significant economic or financial post in the Commission.

I know the Minister will do an excellent job. He has dedicated his life to public service and has been an effective Minister for public expenditure and reform and for finance. I wish him the best in his new role.

The results of the recent European Parliament elections are now in. As expected, there was a swing to populist and nationalist parties across Europe, which may feed into the future policy direction of the EU and the filling of key institutional positions, that is, President of the Commission, President of the Council, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the European Parliament. Despite justifiable criticism of Commission President von der Leyen's initial response to the Israel-Hamas war, it seems she is set to be appointed this week for a second term. Her chances were strengthened by the increase in representation of the European People's Party. Although Renew Europe lost seats in the election and lost more post-election - even though Fianna Fáil added two extra seats to the group - it looks like the centrist coalition in the Parliament has held. However, one would have to be concerned that European conservatives and reformists may still have a role to play in getting final agreement on the new Commissioners and a new policy agenda. The Council should strive to fill the totality of the top positions by taking into account the various groupings in the Parliament, as well as geographical considerations. It appears a deal in that regard has now been finalised and some of those positions have to be ratified at the European Council meeting.

We need to analyse what the swing to the right will mean for the future direction of the EU. Migration, security and climate change featured as issues during the campaign. At least the ratifying of the EU migration and asylum pact has put a structure in place for dealing with migration for the foreseeable future. It is clear no country can deal with the problem on its own and we need to co-operate with EU partners to tackle it. I have concerns there could be backsliding on climate change measures and the so-called Green Deal. That would be a terrible shame. Global warming is an existential crisis and there can be no rowing back on the commitments we have entered into. I hope the Taoiseach will articulate this view strongly at the European Council meeting.

On a similar matter, I welcome the recent approval given by the Environment Council to the nature restoration law. Biodiversity loss is also an existential crisis and we need to do everything possible to restore nature and wildlife. To their credit, 12 of our 13 MEPs in the last European Parliament voted for it. I pay tribute to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, for getting approval for the law at Council level. The Minister also played a crucial role in getting an agreement at COP28 in December. I am not sure what the future holds for the Minister now that he has stepped down as leader of the Green Party but his strong commitment to saving the environment, combined with his experience in government and pragmatism, was crucial in changing the policy direction on climate change and biodiversity loss. I wish him the best for the future.

The EU will deal with a number of other issues in the coming months, as we heard from the Minister of State. The so-called strategic agenda will be discussed this week at the European Council. A prosperous Europe has to be a key objective and making the EU competitive and completing the Single Market are important in this regard. Enlargement is on the agenda in terms of the western Balkans and the eastern neighbourhood. How the EU makes decisions will need to be examined in order to facilitate this further enlargement.

I understand Ireland has joined, as an observer, the group of friends of improving the decision-making in the common foreign and security policy. Will this lead to changes concerning qualified majority voting? This is an interesting development and one about which the House should be kept fully informed. I hope the Minister of State will be able to do that. Enlargement will also have implications for the multi-annual financial framework, specifically CAP and cohesion funding. It seems tough negotiations lie ahead in that regard. I also note a motion before the Dáil to approve two PESCO projects and two European Defence Agency projects, which indicates the common security and defence policy of the EU is continuing to evolve and develop.

Some speakers have mentioned the situation in Ukraine. It is regrettable that Hungary continues to delay or block the sending of funds and aid to that country, but I note ways are being found to get around Hungary's intransigence. It has to be said this does not augur well for the forthcoming Hungarian Presidency, which begins on 1 July. I suspect there will be a bumpy road ahead as Hungary takes over the Presidency of the EU. The Minister of State and others referred to the Ukraine peace summit, which was held in Switzerland earlier this month. I hope something positive will come from it.

The UK general election will take place on 4 July. On 23 June 2016, the UK voted for Brexit and the chaos which ensued from it. We have had the trade and co-operation agreement, the withdrawal agreement and the Windsor Framework. We do not get involved in the UK election as it is up to the people there to decide how to vote, but I hope the election will bring about a reset in the relationship between Ireland and Britain. That relationship has not been particularly good since Brexit. A reset with the incoming government of the UK is needed and I hope it will come to pass.

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