Michael Noonan
Question:1 Mr. Noonan asked the Taoiseach when he will next convene a meeting of the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20929/01]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Official Engagements.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:2 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the contact he has had with President Bush since the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001; the steps he has taken to convey to President Bush the sympathy and solidarity of the Irish people on their terrible losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21392/01]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:3 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the plans he has to visit New York from 8 to 10 November 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21435/01]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:4 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the contacts he has had with the President of the United States of America and his administration since 11 September 2001. [21447/01]
Michael Noonan
Question:5 Mr. Noonan asked the Taoiseach when he next expects to visit the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21452/01]
Joe Higgins
Question:6 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach if he will report on contacts he had with the United States Government during the 2001 summer recess of Dáil Éireann. [22148/01]
Enda Kenny
Question:7 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach when he expects to hold his next meeting with the President of the USA, Mr. George W. Bush; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22270/01]
Michael Noonan
Question:8 Mr. Noonan asked the Taoiseach if the arrangements for his forthcoming visit to the United States have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23517/01]
Trevor Sargent
Question:9 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he proposes to visit the United States of America in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24213/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together.
I met Ambassador Richard Haass, President Bush's envoy on Northern Ireland, in the State Department on Tuesday, 11 September. I subsequently wrote to President Bush, offering him and the people of the United States the deep condolences of the Irish people on the terrible events of 11 September.
By our collective observance of the National Day of Mourning, the people of Ireland eloquently expressed our deep sense of sorrow and outrage at the terrible events, and Dáil Éireann, at the specially convened sitting of 18 September, expressed its solidarity with the President, Congress and the people of the United States at this difficult time. Naturally, since 11 September, the Government has been keeping in close contact with the US Administration, particularly in the context of our Chairmanship of the UN Security Council. The Government is also, of course, in touch with the US Administration on an ongoing basis with regard to matters relating to Northern Ireland.
I expect to visit the United States in early November. My programme for this visit, including any possible meeting with President Bush, has not yet been finalised. However, I expect to fulfil a range of engagements in Boston, New York and Washington.
Has the Taoiseach made contact with the American Administration about the massive financial subsidy being made available to Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines, who are in direct competition with Aer Lingus on the North Atlantic route?
No, I have had no discussions with the US Administration, but the Minister for Public Enterprise is well aware of what has happened. She and her officials have found out precisely how that agreement was made.
Has there been any contact from the American Administration with a view to renegotiating the bilateral air agreement between Ireland and the United States, which is erroneously called the Shannon stopover? Has that been raised by the Americans with any member of the Government or at any level of the Administration?
It is more appropriate to put matters of such detail to the relevant Minister.
It is a matter of national policy that is appropriate to the Taoiseach. A significant number of questions are being taken together.
There is a Minister with responsibility for that area.
The Taoiseach speaks about these issues when he is in contact with other Governments. It is not the Minister, Deputy O'Rourke, who would raise these issues with the American Administration. It would either be done through the Department of Foreign Affairs or the Taoiseach's office. The Taoiseach is answering questions in the House and my supplementary questions are within the remit of those questions. The Taoiseach is willing to answer.
I have had no such discussions and no such questions have been raised.
Has the Government, through its chairmanship of the Security Council, raised with either the British or the American Governments the ongoing bombardment of Afghanistan? Has the Government supported the concerns expressed by others, among them the Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, that the bombing should cease to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered properly to that beleaguered country? Is the Government concerned in any of the contacts it may or may not have had, either through the Security Council or directly, at what now appears to be a war against the people of Afghanistan, in view of the ongoing bombing, rather than an attempt to capture Osama bin Laden?
All matters relating to the Security Council are, although I am familiar with them, being dealt with by the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
We still have collective responsibility. Outside this House the Taoiseach will happily take responsibility for answering questions about anything, including commenting on sports matches in another jurisdiction. Surely it is not too much to ask that he might answer the odd question here.
Deputy Sargent.
Is that it?
He spoke about these matters on television. Can he not do so here?
I call on Deputy Sargent to ask his question.
Can I wait for a reply to my question? This and the previous Administration campaigned successfully across the five continents to secure support from more than 100 countries to win a seat on the Security Council. In the month that Ireland chairs the meetings of the Security Council it surely must have crossed the Taoiseach's mind to raise the ongoing war against Afghanistan with the United States Government if the contacts he has had are of concern. What else, if anything, has the Taoiseach raised with the United States Government in the light of what is taking place in the name of the West?
In this month, in particular, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is talking to members of the Security Council and members of the American Administration on a daily basis. He has had several conversations with Colin Powell and other members of the Administration. He is handling those matters. I am aware of a certain amount, but the issues concern not only the Taliban regime and Afghanistan, but also the Sahara, Iraqi sanctions and so forth. Yesterday, I believe, there were discussions on a number of them. They are being dealt with on an hourly basis by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Of course, I am involved, but the Government is, correctly, co-ordinating these matters through the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
In the course of the hourly contacts the Taoiseach has had in recent days on this issue—
The Minister for Foreign Affairs.
I presume he is briefing the Taoiseach.
He is.
The Taoiseach also met with President Arafat last night. If it is not too much of an intrusion, did the Taoiseach express concern about the ongoing bombing in Afghanistan? There are unconfirmed reports, as recently as
2 p.m. today, that a hospital was bombed in Kabul and five patients were killed. Have these matters been raised by the Taoiseach?
I have not raised these matters because I am not dealing with them. I have made that point clear. However, last week the Minister arranged that all humanitarian issues be dealt with by the Security Council, as the Deputy himself suggested. All relevant NGOs, including the International Red Cross, have been closely involved. Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi is now involved on behalf of Mr. Kofi Annan and the Security Council. An enormous amount of work has been done on the humanitarian issues. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will gladly give detailed answers to these questions.
I accept that the Minister for Foreign Affairs will be anxious to answer questions on this matter. However, in his regular contacts with the Heads of the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom and in continuing to express the sympathy of every Member and party in this House on the atrocities which happened in the United States, will the Taoiseach also articulate the widespread concerns of aid agencies, including Trócaire, and of the former President, Mrs. Mary Robinson, regarding the level of civilian casualties and the 7 million civilians who risk starvation as winter approaches in Afghanistan? Will he bear in mind that humanitarian issue when he next discusses the aftermath of 11 September and take note of the recommendations of Irish aid agencies in that regard?
On that issue, Ireland has been to the forefront in using our position as President of the Security Council. Last Monday week, 12 hours after the first bombing, the Minister for Foreign Affairs made sure the humanitarian issue and the concerns of NGOs were raised at the Security Council. The Minister is particularly conscious of the concerns of those aid organisations which have been working in Afghanistan largely unnoticed for a number of years. We gave our largest ever donation of aid last October, when these matters were receiving very little attention on the world stage. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is conscious of these concerns. We have raised this issue at the Security Council and will continue to do so. The Minister has organised meetings with the International Red Cross and with Irish aid organisations to make sure their views are known. We will continue to do that. My answer to the Deputy's question is yes, I will.
Given the lay-offs announced or threatened by US companies in Ireland, would the Taoiseach consider an enhanced role for the IDA in its north American offices, to ensure the number of such job losses is minimised? Will he, in particular, take steps to ensure the present difficulties are not used by US companies to transfer jobs in Ireland to lower cost countries in circumstances where these companies have legally binding agreements for the maintenance of certain employment levels in Ireland?
We are monitoring this matter on a daily basis and dealing with the companies where we think there are risks or difficulties. We have instructed our IDA and Enterprise Ireland people, at home and abroad, to monitor all companies which have a foreign direct investment. Ministers have been involved in meeting a number of those companies which are experiencing difficulties. Most companies which are suffering short-term difficulties are highlighting the issues to us themselves and are outlining the actions they are trying to follow to sustain their positions in the longer term, even when they have difficulties in the short-term.
There has been talk of some companies moving to lower cost countries but we have not come across any yet. We are conscious of this. It has not arisen yet but we will monitor the position.
Has the Taoiseach sought the advice of the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board on this matter and, if not, why not?
I met some members of the economic board and some of those close to it when they were here on other business last week. I hope to meet them again next month. Members of the board and their partners in business have been very helpful in ensuring all available information and assistance have been given and that all possible action has taken place, for which I am grateful. The Deputy is as conscious as l am that many decisions have emerged from Washington, New York, Boston and elsewhere. It is helpful that inside information is received as early as possible in order that we can endeavour to deal with issues. Members of the economic advisory board and their associates have been helpful and went to the trouble of coming here last week.
May I ask a final supplementary question?
I will allow a brief final supplementary from the Deputy.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place for the promotion of Irish tourism in the United States during this time of crisis? No word other than "crisis" is suitable to describe what is happening to the tourism industry. Will the Taoiseach state whether the new all-Ireland tourism body, Tourism Ireland Limited, is up and functioning? There are rumours that the body has a chief executive, board and budget, but no staff.
We are very conscious of what needs to be done in the United States as regards tourism, but I do not agree with the Deputy's suggestion that we engage in a marketing campaign just now. Meetings in New York, Washington and other places in the United States are being cancelled. The idea of a huge marketing effort at this time, therefore, is inappropriate. Arrangements are being made for the next tourism season in the normal way, focusing on how to attract American tourists to this country. Indications for next year already suggest that a supreme effort is required. We know what has happened on previous occasions when there have been difficulties in the United States. Other ways of marketing with which the Government can assist have been suggested, but tourist numbers will be down.
Does the Taoiseach appreciate that there is a disaster on the west coast? People are talking about mothballing hotels for the winter and not opening until the spring.
I do not think the House should get into matters of detail regarding tourism policy.
Is there a sense of urgency in the Government, that it appreciates a disaster when surrounded by one?
The Deputy asked about tourists from the United States. He is aware that 6,000 people in that country were recently blown out of their offices. American people are not in the humour to travel to the west of Ireland, or anywhere else, even within the United States. We are trying to engage in a programme that will enable us to pick up on the mood when it changes. The promotion of Connemara in New York at the moment is not exactly a great idea.
The question I asked was about Tourism Ireland Limited, which has no staff.
Tourism Ireland Limited is actively engaged in setting up its full programmes.
Matters directly related to tourism should be raised by way of question to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation.
(Dublin West): The revulsion of ordinary Irish people was expressed to the American people on many occasions following the atrocities of 11 September. In the light of how events have developed, has the Taoiseach conveyed to the Administration in the United States our revulsion about a further slaughter of innocent people in Afghanistan during the last eight days? Does he plan to do so in the next few days and when he visits the United States? Does he accept that he carries a share of moral responsibility as he quite publicly supported the bombings and offered the use of Irish airports to the United States without a discussion in the Dáil? Does he feel he has a responsibility to raise sharply with the Administration in the United States the gravity of the situation in Afghanistan, apart from the bombings, as a famine is threatened? As the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warned, the number of deaths could rival Rwandan proportions. Does the Taoiseach accept he has a responsibility to bring these concerns to the attention of the United States Administration rather than blindly following the war plans of Britain and the United States?
Does the Taoiseach intend during his visit to raise the issue of the US foreign policy? Will he ask why many people in the Arab world in particular cannot take seriously the moral posturing of the United States or of the Prime Minister, Mr. Blair? They are purporting to seek Osama bin Laden, who is allegedly responsible for the atrocity, when they continue to harbour proven mass murderers such as Augusto Pinochet in the West.
The Deputy is making statements and he should not do so as it is Question Time.
(Dublin West): Will the Taoiseach express the concerns and questions that are being raised by the people? There is much puzzlement that one set of terrorists is being hunted down while others are being harboured.
The Deputy is making statements and he should not do so. He should confine himself to questions.
Undoubtedly, the people of Afghanistan are primarily victims of drought, civil war and the policies of the Taliban regime that were in operation prior to 11 September. This is the third year of drought and 3 million people were suffering from famine and 700,000 others were at severe risk because of the policies of the Taliban regime and its lack of care for its own people. An enormous aid programme was already in place, with the United States as the biggest sponsor, to try to assist them. The Irish humanitarian effort has been under way since October 2000 through our NGOs and aid organisations. We will continue to assist and help in whatever way possible.
Ireland will also use its position on the Security Council in that regard and the Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has asked Ambassador Brahimi to try to help. Some $151 million has been devoted to the humanitarian aid programme. Ireland will continue to highlight the plight of the people through international bodies and later this week at European Union level.
(Dublin West): As usual, the Taoiseach did not answer any of the questions.
Regarding Question No. 1, is the Taoiseach aware of a recent Forfás report that indicated that while the US companies in Ireland employ more than 100,000 people, Irish multinationals in the United States employ up to 60,000 people? In light of the massive growth in Irish multinationals, particularly in North America, does the Taoiseach have any plans to restructure the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board to create a synergy in certain areas between the mutual investment in the two economies to try to offset the losses that are about to occur because of the downturn in the communications industry in particular?
In terms of the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board, we have endeavoured in recent years to get the best possible people, regardless of whether they were involved in multinationals in the United States or Ireland or in indigenous companies. We and the embassy are always on the look out for people who are prepared to give their time and effort. In many cases, the people concerned give an enormous amount of their time free. We constantly look for people who could broaden the focus. I am not opposed to the Deputy's point and it would be good to find people who could help those balances. The downturn in the ICT area is severe at present.
We have many good contacts with people on the board and others associated with them. I spoke to some of them last week and their view is that we must ride out this period and sustain as much as possible while also considering new opportunities that they have identified. The companies I met have a sense that this is a difficult period but it will improve. They feel they can regain momentum in a relatively short period, although the events of 11 September certainly represent a setback.
Did the Taoiseach, in his meetings with members of the US Administration, receive representations in regard to actions Ireland might take to assist in the detection and apprehension of those involved in the attacks on the US and the networks supporting them? In the context of biological terrorism, has the Government considered tightening up our postal legislation to ensure Ireland is neither used as a base for nor becomes a victim of biological attacks, notably those involving anthrax?
On the first issue, representations were received at European level. The Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers is meeting today to consider areas of co-operation in regard to terrorism. An enormous amount of work, involving liaison and information sharing about suspect people, has been done in this area in the past month at international level. That work is ongoing. Arrests have been made in this country and Irish intelligence forces have co-operated with their international counterparts. Although I do not believe there is a significant number of people in this country involved in this area, certain people, details of whose identities have been circulated internationally, are under investigation.
The issue of biological attacks is being examined. The viral laboratory which represents Irish expertise in this area is liaising with the expert group in the Department of Health and Children. Laboratory employees, who have substantial knowledge in this area, are advising on the best course of preventative action and remedial action in the event of an attack.
Should penalties under the postal legislation be increased to ensure those who use postal systems to disseminate biological agents are properly penalised if detected?
I will raise that matter with my colleagues. Although I am not aware of the existing penalties in this area, I presume they were not intended to cover biological attacks, although in the mid to late 1970s regulations were introduced to deal with people who sent explosives through the post or used the post for the purpose of bomb hoaxes. However, those regulations were not designed to deal with the devastation which would result from biological attacks.
Did the Taoiseach, in his contacts with the US Administration, set limits on Ireland's support for military action in Afghanis tan? Does the Government support the extension of the war to countries other than Afghanistan?
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has responded to these issues—
He has not.
He has made it clear that Ireland's support is conditional on Resolution 1368 which specifies that military action must be focused and targeted on the basis of information and intelligence.
The resolution is not a mandate.
There is an entitlement to self defence under Article 51 of the UN charter and Resolution 1373 further clarifies the position in regard to military attacks. While there has been some speculation, nothing has happened at the Security Council to indicate that any other targets are being considered.
Can the Taoiseach tell the House why he did not table a motion in the House before telling the US Administration it could avail of Irish airspace and airports, as happened in 1991 prior to its involvement in the Gulf War? Many people are asking that question. After ten days of fighting, does he still support the continuing United States and allied bombing of Afghanistan, given that humanitarian agencies are stating four trucks are getting in every day, but that they need 700 food trucks and the bombing must stop before that can happen? What does he mean when he says it is not unconditional? What are the conditions?
The conditions are set out in Resolution 1368.
That is not clear.
The Government stated from the outset it would monitor the situation with a view to establishing that the actions taken by the United States and its allies are targeted and proportionate. As the Minister said, we have received assurances from the highest levels in the US Government that the military response will seek to avoid inflicting civilian casualties as far as possible. The United States is entitled to engage in the action it is taking. Like everyone else, I hope it does not go on any longer than is necessary. I support Resolution 1368, Resolution 1373 and the many humanitarian efforts being made.
Will the Taoiseach, in his discussions with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and in the interpretation of Resolution 1368, indicate the conditions which will lead to the end of the bombing? Has he been swayed by the suggestions made by the international United Nations agencies responsible to the Security Council that civ ilian life is in danger? Will he use Ireland's position on the Security Council to allow humanitarian aid to take precedence over further military strikes?
The Minister for Foreign Affairs is doing all in his power on a daily basis to ensure the humanitarian issue is dealt with side by side with any action. He has endeavoured to do this since last Monday week and will continue to do so.
Four trucks a day.
(Dublin West): Will the Taoiseach tell us the limits of his support for the so-called self-defence policy? How many innocent civilians is the Government prepared to see killed in Afghanistan before it will review it? If 200 civilians are killed in one week, it may be 2,000 in ten weeks. Is the number of innocent men, women and children killed in Afghanistan limitless as far as the Government is concerned? Will it continue to offer its uncritical support for the bombing?
Resolution 1368, which was unanimously passed by the civilised world, deals with people who are not civilised and do not care how many they kill.
(Dublin West): More people are then killed.
Order, please.
No, more people are not killed. It would be nice if no one was killed and aeroplanes were not used as human bombs in the United States. We would then not be here talking about these issues.
We all agree with that.
We must keep our feet on the ground.
(Dublin West): Exactly.
We should put food lorries on the ground.
Order, please.
The Americans did not fly the aeroplanes into the tower blocks. There is a group of international terrorists who do not care about life.
(Dublin West): We know that.
The United States is trying in a targeted way to stop these people from inflicting damage in the future.
(Dublin West): Neither did General Pinochet.
I hope that can happen by limiting the amount of human life lost.
(Dublin West): One atrocity does not justify another.
I agree with the Deputy. However, people who have been involved in several atrocities in recent years must be stopped. The Deputy should not forget that their regime, the Taliban, refused for two years to do anything about Security Council resolutions after other attacks on United States interests in other parts of the world. The Taliban could have assisted in that regard, but it did not.
(Dublin West): How many thousands of civilians must die?
I call Deputy Coveney for a brief question. We must move on to the next question.
I hope few people die.
Mr. Coveney
What does the Taoiseach see as the end goal or objective of the allied bombing campaign in Afghanistan? Is the end goal the removal of the Taliban regime, the capture of Osama bin Laden, both of these things, or are there other objectives?
The Deputy should ask a question but not answer it.
He has asked a question.
It is the only way to get an answer.
Mr. Coveney
It is a valid question, a Cheann Comhairle.
Yes, but the Deputy offered a series of answers.
It is a very pertinent question.
The question was in order, but providing the answers was not.
Does the Taoiseach agree that everybody in this country wants to see the terrorists apprehended and that nobody for one second condones the atrocities that took place on 11 September? At this point, however, more than a month after the atrocity in New York, what we are seeing on the television is a campaign against people who had nothing to do with that atrocity.
Hear, hear.
What outcome does the Government want? What concerns does the Taoiseach have and how is he conveying them to the people engaged daily in the bombing? That is what ordinary people want to hear from the Taoiseach.
Because of the efforts of the Government, and the unique position Ireland holds as President of the UN Security Council, hours after the bombing commenced last week, we were able to ensure the Security Council not only got a briefing on the action by the UK and the US, but we were also able to look at the humanitarian issues that have existed there for some time, to see what more needed to be done. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been involved in co-ordinating the effort to assist those groups. The level of aid the Government has provided in this case is higher than for any previous humanitarian mission. We have been conscious at all times to do everything we can to prevent hardship and loss of life arising from this. At the same time, we understand the allied action is an act of self-defence under UN charter 51, and is in compliance with UN resolutions 1368 and 1373.
We hope the military action by the United States and its allies will lead, as quickly as possible, to a situation whereby the people who perpetrated the attacks in New York can be arrested and handed over. That is what would stop the bombing campaign. The Deputy has heard President Bush, as I have, saying that if these people are handed over the situation on the ground will change. It appears that Osama bin Laden has been protected for several years, long before 11 September, by the Taliban regime which has ignored several UN resolutions. That is the dilemma. We would like to see compliance with those resolutions. The Taliban, if not overthrown, should at least comply with what they have been asked to do, which is hand over Osama bin Laden. If the Taliban were interested in their people they would do so but, quite frankly, I do not think they are and that is why three million people have been starving. Some seven million may now be in difficulties. Deputy Quinn's position is a fair one, but we have to remember that the United States has been doing more than anyone else to try to help the unfortunate people who happen to live under the oppressive Taliban regime.
(Dublin West): Should Israel be bombed because it does not adhere to UN resolutions?
Does the Taoiseach envisage a role for the United Nations afterwards, in the event that the Taliban regime is overthrown? Does he envisage some form of UN trusteeship, with or without the former king? Does he envisage some form of coalition force with the northern alliance, and possibly the newly emerging southern alliance? Have we given any thought to that, in particular in relation to the role we are adopting at the UN Security Council? Have we looked beyond the present conflict, to what might be a sensible and proper way to have that country ruled with UN assistance and aid in the future?
We are drifting away from the original questions. Does the Taoiseach wish to reply?
I will comment briefly. I stated a long time ago during Question Time that Ambassador Brahimi has been given this task. He is an experienced individual who will look at the kind of administration, structures and supports which must be put in place. While it is early days, the Security Council, the United Nations and the Secretary General, Kofi Annan, have appointed a senior figure, Ambassador Brahimi, for the purpose of building this up for the future.