82. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the basis for any delay in the opening of thematic clusters related to accession of Moldova into the EU. [65142/26]

83. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the opening of thematic clusters related to accession of Moldova into the EU. [65141/26]

84. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with her EU counterparts in relation to the opening of thematic clusters related to accession of Moldova into the EU. [65143/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 83 and 84 together.

Ireland strongly supports EU enlargement, which is a key priority of our EU Presidency.

In July, during the first month of our Presidency, Ireland secured significant progress on the enlargement file, holding the highest number of accession conferences in a single day since 2002. Ireland facilitated the closure of two additional chapters with Montenegro as well as the closure of the first three negotiating chapters with Albania. Ireland's Presidency also facilitated the opening of cluster 6 on external relations with both Ukraine and Moldova.

Moldova applied for EU membership in 2022 and opened accession negotiations in 2024. Together with Ukraine, Moldova opened cluster 1 on fundamentals in June and cluster 6 on external relations in July. Last year, the European Commission's Enlargement Report highlighted that Moldova has made the most one-year progress of all the candidates over the reporting period. This year’s enlargement report is expected to be published by the Commission in the coming period. Ireland commends the efforts that Moldova is making to meet the challenge of aligning their laws with the EU acquis, despite the ongoing hybrid threats and external interference they are facing.

Last year, the European Commission confirmed that both Ukraine and Moldova are technically ready to open all six negotiating clusters. As Presidency, Ireland will continue to engage with other Member States to secure the unanimity required for the opening of all remaining clusters with both Ukraine and Moldova.

Ireland is also providing technical support to candidate countries – including Moldova – through our “Ireland for EU Enlargement” capacity-building programme, which is funded by my Department and delivered by the Institute of Public Administration. I am pleased that officials from Moldova have participated in the first two years of the programme. Ireland will continue to provide our full support for Moldova's EU accession process.

Ireland also opened our Embassy in Chisinau in 2025 as a sign of our bilateral commitment to and support for Moldova.