Ireland not out of step with EU, says parliament president

Roberta Metsola said differences on trade and Israel do not make Ireland an outlier, pointing to strong pro-EU sentiment ahead of the country taking on the Council presidency

Taoiseach Micheal Martin greets President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola as they arrive at Dublin Castle for a meeting on Tuesday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Ireland is not out of step with the EU despite disagreements on issues such as trade deals and Israel, the European Parliament's president has said.

Roberta Metsola, the Maltese MEP who chairs the parliament, was in Dublin on Tuesday ahead of Ireland's assumption of the presidency of the European Council next week. 

He was asked if Irish reticence on the Mercosur trade agreement and Irish calls for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement made the country an outlier among the EU block of 27.

Ms Metsola said that having spent the day in Ireland, she "could only say the contrary", referencing polling that shows Irish people are more pro-EU than many in the bloc.

"I go to countries where the numbers are much lower, and the conversations are typical and unique in each country.

"You will find a European Parliament that is very pro trade, but you will also find a parliament that wants to safeguard individual countries' responses to what could have an impact. 

"Having said this, I can only look forward to the next six months where we will have more of Ireland in Europe and more of Europe in Ireland, and my experience is that presidencies can truly be used to, with confidence, fly the European flag high. 

"I think it's time that we do it openly and as confidently as possible, and there's no better time to do that than right now."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there was a range of opinions across the EU on the issue of Israel, as there was on many issues.

"There was divided opinion across European Union in terms of trade with Israel," he said.

"We had a discussion last week at the European Council and there were different opinions across the table, not just from Ireland, but from other countries. 

"Some of that is historic and has a historic basis in terms of what happened in World War Two and so on. So it was very difficult to get agreement on that issue, and it has been very difficult from day one.

Where there is consensus on the Middle East is everybody agrees with a two-state solution, and Europe remains the biggest donor to Palestine across the world, and that humanitarian contribution will continue.

On the issue of Israel, Ms Metsola said that in the European Parliament, it is "difficult to build majorities across 720 colleagues, eight political groups and over 200 political parties".

"But I would like to reaffirm... the European Union's commitment to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on a two-state solution, and also that they maintain a focus on the humanitarian needs in Gaza.

"The EU remains the largest donor of aid to the region, and that's also the contribution that European Parliament gives through its negotiations."

• Paul Hosford is Deputy Political Editor.