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

The elections to the European Parliament have now concluded. Far-right and nationalist parties gained ground in those elections. Migration, the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, climate change and security and defence were all issues in the election campaign. In Germany, Alternative für Deutschland, Alternative for Germany, made big gains, as did Rassemblement National, National Rally, in France and Fratelli d'Italia, Brothers for Italy, in Italy. Despite these gains, it seems the outgoing centrist coalition has held and that it will be able to dominate the new parliament. As regards the key positions or so-called top jobs, Ursula von der Leyen from Germany, representing the European People's Party, EPP, grouping will be returned as European Commission President, subject to the agreement of the European Parliament. Kaja Kallas from Estonia, representing the liberal grouping, will be the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, again subject to the endorsement of the European Parliament. Antonio Costa from Portugal, representing the socialist grouping has been appointed President of the European Council. These appointments demonstrate how the various groupings and geographical considerations were taken into account to achieve consensus. Everyone must now get on with the work, given the many challenges facing the EU at this time.

We have heard much in the past few days about the reset of relations following the UK general election. Clearly, the election of Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister presents a golden opportunity to reset relations between Ireland and Britain and between the EU and the UK. It will also have positive implications for the future of Northern Ireland. This follows the chaos after the Brexit vote in 2016, which was overseen by successive Conservative Governments. The new Prime Minister and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, have a comprehensive understanding of Irish issues. Both have visited Leinster House where they met many of us. The contacts made already between the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister and between the Tánaiste and his counterparts give great grounds for optimism. The meeting between the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister next week, on 17 July, will be significant. We really need to do more to facilitate meetings between Irish Ministers and British Ministers and their officials to be more proactive in resolving problems which arise between our two countries. I think in particular of the migration issue. That issue could have been seen to be coming in advance. Perhaps officials on the margins of European Council meetings in the past would have been able to resolve such a problem.

The British and Irish Governments are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, which it is fair to say has not reached its full potential in recent years due to a lack of commitment on the British side. I hope the British-Irish Council and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will now be fully utilised, which would benefit all the people on these islands. We need to see the Windsor Framework fully implemented and more co-operation on trade and migration policy. The legacy Act has to be repealed, with a return to the principles of the Stormont House Agreement. In these circumstances, there would be no need to proceed with the inter-state case against the UK under the European Convention on Human Rights. As a young lawyer, new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a deep commitment to upholding human rights. I am sure that will manifest during his premiership. Funding for the Northern Ireland administration and specifically for the redevelopment of Casement Park are also matters of interest to the Irish Government.

The UK Labour Party Government is also committed to improving relations with the EU. This is in everyone's interest. If the objective of the British Government is to achieve increased economic growth, increased trade co-operation is an absolute necessity for it. The negotiation of a new veterinary and food agreement with the EU would a be a good starting point for improving these relations.

The relentless air strikes by Russia on Ukrainian cities continue unabated. The bombing of a children's hospital in Kyiv this week was horrendous and represents a new low in the war. The removal by Russia of more than 20,000 Ukrainian children from their families is also horrendous. These children must be returned home forthwith. The European Council rightly agreed to continue to provide aid and support to Ukraine and to open EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continues to try to disrupt proceedings. He has tried to block the use of the windfall profits of immobilised Russian sovereign assets to provide military aid to Ukraine, but I hope he will not succeed. It is unfortunate that Viktor Orbán is Prime Minister as Hungary assumes the Presidency of the EU. He has promised to make Europe great again. Where have we heard a phrase like that before? Since taking over the Presidency on 1 July, he has already met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin and President Xi of China. It needs to be stated clearly that he did not represent the EU at those meetings. Hungary's rule-of-law issues are well documented, as is Viktor Orbán's continued use of the veto to gain concessions. Orbán has also prioritised traded trade links with China and energy links with Russia so we are in for an interesting six months ahead, to say the least.

On the Israel-Hamas war and the terrible events that continue to take place in Gaza, I welcome the discussions which took place this week between the Tánaiste and his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt and their continued commitment to achieving a ceasefire as soon as possible. I also welcome the discussions on efforts to restore a political pathway towards a lasting peace based on a two-state solution. This could be based on the Arab peace vision. Ireland continues to raise this issue and press for an immediate ceasefire and for a longer term solution to the conflict.

The European Council discussed the competitive agenda, the need to accelerate progress on capital markets union and the future of the Single Market, all of which are very important for the future economic success of the European Union. The strategic agenda is also important. We have had a good discussion and I look forward to the remainder of it.

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