Richard Bruton
Question:101 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department regularly assesses the work of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21525/02]
Written Answers. - Council of Europe.
The core function of the Council of Europe is to ensure that fundamental human values are the basis for the development of democratic societies throughout the European continent. My Department, through Ireland's permanent representation in Strasbourg, is an active participant in the work of the committee of Ministers, which is the main decision-making body of the Council. Its responsibilities include ongoing evaluation and assessment of the activities and programmes of the organisation and approval of the annual budget. The work and relevance of the Council's activities and Ireland's contribution are also assessed under the strategic management initiative, both in respect of the Department of Foreign Affairs and of the representation in Strasbourg.
In my reply to a question from Deputy Durkan on 27 June, I provided a detailed statement of Ireland's current priorities in the Council of Europe. Since then, there have been a number of important developments. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, attended the 111th session of the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg on 6-7 November. In a bilateral meeting with the Secretary General of the Council and in his interventions, he stressed Ireland's continuing commitment to the Council of Europe, independently of current developments in the EU.
The Council's clearly defined role, set out in the statute of 1949, remains as valid as ever: to achieve a greater unity among all member states, each participating on an equal footing, by safeguarding common ideals and principles. The Council must continue to set standards and work to ensure they are upheld by all States. Ireland supports the proposal for a third summit meeting to consolidate the future role of the Council of Europe, on condition that the summit is well prepared, with a guarantee that it will reinforce and not diminish that role.
We attach priority importance to the Council's work in human rights. In this context, Ireland has been pursuing its initiative to support and reform the European Court of Human Rights. Following a progress report prepared by Ireland's permanent representative in Strasbourg, the ministerial session last week adopted a declaration on the court instructing that work be accelerated in order that substantive decisions on reforms can be taken at the next session in May 2003.
Separately, the session approved a draft protocol to the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism. Ireland welcomed this development, stressing the unique authority of the Council of Europe in defending its basic values, and the importance of ensuring that the response to terrorism respects the balance between effective protection of society and safeguarding basic human rights.
Ireland has committed €1.8 million in funding for Council of Europe human rights and democratisation projects in Russia and southeast Europe for the years 2002 to 2004. Implementation of these projects is being closely monitored and they are being evaluated by the Department of Foreign Affairs in consultation with the Council.
The Department of Finance is currently preparing the necessary legislation to allow for Ireland's accession to the Council of Europe Development Bank. Recent Council of Europe meetings in Ireland have included a seminar on the charter of local self-government organised in Dublin Castle last month for representatives of local authorities by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. A meeting of Council of Europe specialists on issues relating to Roma and travellers was held in Dublin on 14-16 October. This week, the Human Rights Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are jointly hosting meetings in Dublin and Belfast for the national human rights institutions of the Council of Europe member states.