Micheál Martin
Question:1. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the board appointments he has made recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50123/13]
Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed)
Ministerial Appointments
Joe Higgins
Question:2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has made any board appointments recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9025/14]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Four appointments have been made to the National Statistics Board in recent months. Three appointments relate to the appointment of civil servants on the board, as provided for in section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993. The fourth appointment relates to the re-appointment of the existing chairperson of the board. I have also recently made one appointment to the board of trustees of the Chester Beatty Library for a period of five years. I have not made recent appointments to the board of the National Economic and Social Development Office. Details of the appointments I have made are set out in the following tables.
Details of recent board appointments made by the Taoiseach:
National Statistics Board (NSB)
|
Member |
Appointment date |
|
Dr. Patricia O'Hara - Chair |
12 October 2013 |
|
John Callinan, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach |
13 September 2012 Reappointed 12 October 2013 |
|
Michael McGrath, Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance |
12 October 2013 |
Board of Trustees of Chester Beatty Library
|
Member |
Appointment date |
|
Professor Brian McGing |
30 September 2013 |
I thank the Taoiseach for the comprehensive nature of his reply. I accept that many of the appointments he makes would fall under the Department of the Taoiseach or either be nominations by outside bodies or, as the Taoiseach said in one instance in the reply, the appointment of civil servants to a board.
As the Taoiseach knows, the proposed chairmen of State boards were to go before committees and that was something that he hailed as a revolution three years ago, although it is hardly a revolution. Will he accept that this process has become highly controlled? The only time it looked like a Government nominee might be in trouble, the Government backbenchers were whipped into line. Is the Taoiseach happy with the position that it is all a fait accompli in advance in terms of the appointments that are being made? There is much evidence that, notwithstanding the advertisement of appointments, Ministers are basically ignoring the process in reality-----
This is a very confined question.
-----ultimately to get the people they want to submit the application.
It was at a Government meeting of 12 April 2011 that decisions were made to put in place new arrangements inviting expressions of interest in vacancies on boards and agreed that Ministers would not necessarily be confined to those who made expressions of interest. It was decided that those who were being proposed for appointment as chairs would be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach they would take in the their role as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or board in question, and that following those discussions a decision would be taken by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate, to confirm the nominee as chairperson.
I do not know of any great row that occurred at any of these committee meetings yet, although that may well happen. As the Deputy well knows from experience, it is not all that easy sometimes to get people of competence and expertise to serve on these boards. It takes a particular kind of person to do that but I think, by and large, it has been an opportunity for Members of the House at committee to quiz the proposed appointee. It may not be revolutionary but certainly it allows for an engagement that did not happen previously.
The only quick comment I would make is that I watched an episode of "Yes Minister" recently and both Hacker and Sir Humphrey were of the view that it was important to get somebody who was sound-----
I did not know they were still around.
-----and that seems to be the predominant view of the Ministers as well.
I did not know that those guys were still around.
I am sure Deputy Higgins is happy with the reply. Is he?
What informs the Taoiseach in terms of principles in any appointments he has to make or may make? Does he, for example, regard as a matter of principle that one advertises publicly before one chooses somebody? How does he explain the fact that since the Government came to power, according to an Irish Examiner study, of 1,067 appointments by the Government, only 191 people came through the public advertisement process? How on earth can the Taoiseach expect ordinary people to think they have any chance when an advertisement for an expression of interest for appointment to boards made by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on 15 February-----
That is a separate matter.
-----stated that by submitting an expression of interest, the applicant accepts that the Minister is not obliged to consider the expressions of interest offered. One can apply but the Minister does not even have to look at the application. Is that any kind of a genuine democratic way to go? Is it not the reality that the political cronyism that dominated the appointments to boards in the past is still alive and well?
No. I do not accept that at all. Clearly, that applies in every situation. People who apply for positions or for jobs are not necessarily going to be chosen by virtue of the fact that they apply.
No. That is not the point. The Minister does not need to consider the expression of interest.
Let us say an application is advertised for position X on board Y and 200 apply for it. The Minister is not obliged to pick anyone individually. Obviously he would have to consider the list of applications.
He does not have to look at them.
"Not obliged to consider" I think are the words the Deputy used. Does that state "look" or "consider"?
It states that the Minister is not obliged to consider the expressions of interest offered, that he is not confined to make an appointment from among those who express an interest.
I ask that remarks be made through the Chair.
Obviously, one would get all the applications and does one then consider them or look at them?
This is a very simple question.
Words are important. The principle I would apply here is that people should be appointed to these boards who have a contribution to make, who have an understanding of what public service means and who are prepared to give of their time, experience and expertise in the interests of the board or body upon which they serve.
State Visits
Gerry Adams
Question:3. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52527/13]
Gerry Adams
Question:4. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he reached any specific agreements with the Government of Japan on job creation and investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52528/13]
Micheál Martin
Question:5. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he held any bilateral meetings in Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52569/13]
Joe Higgins
Question:6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on meetings he has had with Japanese Government officials during his recent visit to Japan. [53717/13]
Micheál Martin
Question:7. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the issue of Japanese-Chinese relations was discussed at the bilateral with Prime Minister Abe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53723/13]
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meetings with the Japanese Government during his visit to Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6349/14]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, together.
I visited Japan from 1-5 December in response to an invitation extended to me by Prime Minister Abe during his successful visit to Ireland in June last year, following his attendance at the G8 Summit at Lough Erne. The key objectives of my visit to Japan were to further increase Ireland’s trade, economic and political relationship with Japan and to explore potential areas for future collaboration between our two countries. I was accompanied on the visit by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, reflecting the very significant potential for co-operation and trade in the agrifood sector between Ireland and Japan.
While in Tokyo, I had a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and welcomed the opportunity to resume our conversation on the enhancement of bilateral relations between our two countries. The Prime Minister and I noted the very positive development of political and economic relations between Ireland and Japan in the recent past and resolved to expand this bilateral relationship for the mutual benefit of both countries, including by encouraging greater levels of trade and investment.
We noted that 2017 will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan, and we decided to set that timeframe as a target for achieving a number of specific projects involving economic, cultural and research collaboration. To this end, Prime Minister Abe and I agreed on a new partnership for growth and innovation, which will provide a framework for the development of relations between Ireland and Japan over the next four years. The declaration will provide a platform for a new phase of Ireland-Japan co-operation in a wide range of areas, and builds on recent work at home to enhance relations with this key global actor.
I briefed the Prime Minister on the current economic situation in Ireland and on what was then our impending exit from the EU-IMF programme of assistance. I explained how we have restored our economy to growth and stabilised the national finances in a short space of time. The Prime Minister, in turn, briefed me on his Government’s success in revitalising the Japanese economy through his three-pronged economic model, commonly referred to as "Abenomics".
I welcomed the announcement by Japan that it is reopening its beef market to Irish exports. The decision means that Japan is open to Irish beef for the first time since 2001 and marks Ireland as one of a select group of countries allowed to export beef there. I am satisfied that the announcement is another key milestone for the Irish agrifood sector, the beef sector in particular. It is a sign of international confidence in the quality of Irish food and is a further vindication of Ireland’s focus on quality and sustainability.
Prime Minister Abe updated me on Japan's relationship with China and noted ongoing maritime and territorial issues. I said that these are clearly very sensitive issues and that Ireland, along with all EU partners, would encourage all countries to resolve them in a peaceful manner, through dialogue and diplomatic engagement, and in accordance with international law.
During my visit to Tokyo, I also had the great honour of meeting with Crown Prince Naruhito and with the Japan Ireland Parliamentary Friendship League. I met with Japanese and Irish companies which are active in research and development and the services sector at an event designed to increase collaborative research projects for the mutual benefit of both countries. I attended a symposium on green energy, co-organised with the Japan External Trade Organisation, JETRO, to highlight opportunities and latest technologies being developed by Irish companies with core strengths in this important priority sector for both countries. I delivered a keynote address on current and future developments in Ireland-Japan relations in a globalised world at the Japan Institute of International Affairs.
I was accompanied on my visit by a large number of company representatives with business interests in both Ireland and Japan, including groups from the ICT, financial services and agrifood sectors. The mission also included a special programme for Irish food exporters seeking market outlets in Japan.
Following two days in Tokyo, I travelled on to Nagoya and Osaka for further meetings with Irish and Japanese business leaders to promote trade, investment and business-to-business links. I also met with the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Mr. Ichiro Matsui.
I was delighted to have an opportunity to visit Japan as part of our ongoing strategy to promote trade and investment, to strengthen Ireland’s international reputation and to convey to a wider audience the extent of Ireland’s progress toward economic recovery. Ireland and Japan have a long and well-established political and economic relationship, and this visit provided an opportunity to develop our economic, political and cultural links somewhat further.
During my visit to Japan, I was pleased to have the opportunity for a brief informal meeting with US Vice President Biden, who was in Japan as part of a wider visit by him. I will answer questions tabled by Deputies on that in the next group of parliamentary questions.
Ba mhaith liom an Taoiseach a mholadh as an chuairt a thug sé chuig an tSeapáin roimh an Nollaig. Tá a lán deiseanna dúinn sa tír sin. Bhí mé ag caint le Martin McGuinness agus tá a fhios agam gur bhuail an Taoiseach le Príomh Aire agus an Leas-Phríomh Aire, Peter Robinson agus Martin McGuinness agus molaim sin fosta. Bhí an bheirt sin an-sásta bualadh leis an Taoiseach agus sílim go mbeidh muid ábalta leanúint ar aghaidh i gceart ag obair le daoine sa Tuaisceart. Mar a deir an seanfhocal: Ní neart go cur le chéile. Molaim an obair thábhachtach seo.
The Taoiseach knows there is huge potential. Half of the world's population is in the Asia-Pacific region and within a decade it will account for half of the world's output, so increasing our political investment and trade ties to the region makes sense. I very much commend the Taoiseach's visit and the work he did there. The establishment of a partnership for innovation and growth, covering the range of issues the Taoiseach outlined, is an important and very welcome initiative, as is the Japanese Government's decision to reopen the Japanese market to Irish beef, which is potentially a hugely important matter.
With regard to the other issues the Taoiseach outlined as having been discussed with Prime Minister Abe, particularly around the EU-Japan free trade negotiations, when does the Taoiseach expect to see the detail and will there be an opportunity for the Dáil to debate these issues? The Taoiseach also raised the issue around the tension involving China and Japan, and other Asia-Pacific nations, over territorial waters and the exploitation of their resources. That brings us to how we, a small place, can influence these matters. It also brings us to the issue of reform of the UN, because it is clearly an international agency that has a particular function in that regard. The Sinn Féin position is that it does need reform, particularly the Security Council. Was the Taoiseach able to tease out any of that?
In March 2015 the third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will be held in Japan. While I do not know if the Government has had the opportunity to consider this, will this State be represented at that conference?
I note, and thought it very positive, that the Taoiseach met with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister while he was there, and I know he did the same thing in regard to China and other initiatives he has taken on jobs, exports and so on. I note also that Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Ms Arlene Foster MLA, joined the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, on a joint trade mission to Singapore recently. Are additional steps being considered to promote co-operation between the Executive and the Government on job creation, economic growth and similar initiatives? There is a need for us not to compete with each other, particularly when we are dealing with this in a global way. Most people away from Ireland see it as one island, and clearly we should be marketing it in that way. I thank the Taoiseach for his answer.
Deputy Adams raised a couple of important points. First, I did have the opportunity to refer to the tensions that exist between China and Japan in regard to the Senkaku-Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea.
I pointed out that as a very small country in comparison to the populations in China and Japan, we have had some experience of difficulties and troubles and how they might be resolved by dialogue and negotiation rather than confrontation or unwanted events. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Dame Catherine Ashton, has already visited there on a number of occasions, as indeed has Vice President Biden, which was the subject of a different question. For our part, I said that after 30 years of difficult and tension-filled periods, the Good Friday Agreement was put in place. The Prime Minister was conscious of that although they are clearly enormous powers in their respective areas.
It is important to note that from a cultural point of view, the name of Lafcadio Hearn is of significant importance in Japan and that the Japanese people through the ambassador are anxious to contribute to the provision of a cultural garden in Tramore in County Waterford because of Lafcadio Hearn's impact on Japanese literature and culture. It is important that we note that the first western adviser to a Japanese emperor was an Irishwoman called Eileen Kato who was originally from Crossmolina, married a Japanese diplomat and had an important responsibility in advising the emperor before she passed away. Obviously, the status of the emperor of Japan changed after the Second World War.
Deputy Adams is correct when he points out that the populations are of enormous significance. This is why the Government is looking at opening an embassy in Jakarta and is trying to impact to a greater extent what we can do in Japan, China and other countries. We are always happy as a Government to assist the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. It happened in China and Japan. During our Presidency, we were happy to have some personnel from Northern Ireland in the permanent representation in Brussels so that they were fully acquainted with what was going on. The Bruton-Foster visit to Singapore was important in respect of the potential to supply goods and services to many of these areas. I hope that this can continue.
It is important for the House to reflect on what is happening with the debate between Europe and Great Britain and the debate between Northern Ireland and Europe because there are implications depending on what the Scottish people do in their referendum later this year and what the future holds. One can very quickly see the impact of many of these things in the Swiss constitutional vote in respect of migrant workers and the impact of that on the European Union and its attitude. It is important that we understand that these things have implications and that we need a debate and understanding between the Government, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister relating to Northern Ireland and the wider context.
Some of the companies I met in Tokyo and Osaka were major operations. I recall the "Origin Green: Natural and sustainable Irish Food and Drink" breakfast I had with many of the companies. They are very intrigued by the quality and standards of Irish food. Some of the financial people are extraordinarily wealthy in terms of their capacity to invest. I came across quite a number of young Irish engineers working for different firms in Japan, learning new ways, having different experiences and also contributing to the challenge of the frontiers of the digital world, mechanics, engineering, physics and all these things that are having an impact on us.
I had never been to Japan before and I must say that I found Japanese people to be absolutely respectful, really interested in a country like Ireland and very anxious to understand the philosophy driving Ireland and to do business with us as a gateway into the EU. From the Government's perspective, we will follow through with visits by other Ministers to build on these relationships, which will yield benefit for our people in terms of jobs here and our economy in the times ahead.
I welcome the Taoiseach's visit to Japan, particularly the theme of developing a very strong, deep and enduring relationship with the Japanese people. Of course, he will acknowledge that this has been a historic feature of our relationship going back 60 years. Much work has been done over the years, particularly on the academic and research side. I pay tribute to the Higher Education Authority and Science Foundation Ireland for some of the work they have been doing. They deserve credit for much of the work that has now led to a formal research partnership, which I warmly welcome.
I have been on a number of trade missions to Japan in a previous role as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We were the first to initiate the idea of companies from Northern Ireland coming along on an Enterprise Ireland trade mission. Out of that experience has come my view that if one is looking for a new North-South body relating to indigenous enterprise and companies in the Republic and Northern Ireland, like the tourism agenda and selling the island of Ireland abroad, there is much to be said for synergies between the two bodies in terms of promoting companies on the island in far-flung areas like China and Japan. It pools resources, makes the marketing arm and footprint of Enterprise Ireland available to companies in Northern Ireland, makes the marketing expertise and footprint of Invest Northern Ireland available to companies in the Republic and gives them wider opportunities to travel on trade missions to sell their products, goods and services. It is one area that should be pursued in terms of rejuvenating the North-South agenda. There is much that could happen there without threatening anybody or anyone's political perspectives because I have no doubt that companies, as the Taoiseach has probably experienced, really have no issues with that at all and welcome the opportunity to gain access. When one combines our respective diplomatic networks with the enterprise agencies, one can achieve a lot for the companies involved, particularly those Irish indigenous companies that want to export and gain increased sales. I welcome that joint endeavour with the Northern Ireland Executive and companies.
Does the Taoiseach have the up-to-date position regarding Japanese foreign direct investment? From the 1970s and 1980s, a wave of Japanese companies came to Ireland. The benefit of Japanese companies in Ireland is that they have been very loyal, notwithstanding the up and down nature of the economic cycle. They have a different approach and tend to stay in for the long haul once they come to a country, particularly Ireland. I have a sense that initial wave has not been replicated. I am not criticising anybody other than to say that I would have thought our footprint could have been stronger from an IDA Ireland perspective. It is stronger now. The question is whether we are getting the level and volume of foreign direct investment we could expect and whether we could improve on that. Is the Government committed to providing the funding to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and is it satisfied that the back-up and resources from a personnel perspective are sufficient and strong enough to reflect the push that must be made to get investment from Asia? The 21st century will be about Asia in terms of economic growth and development so we must be there.
I warmly welcome the opening of the beef market. That has been a long journey of negotiations and lobbying going back to the initial outbreak of BSE. The opening of the market is a good outcome for all our veterinary staff and those who worked hard behind the scenes. It will not be an easy market because standards are extremely high in Japan.
It is the best market to which to export if one wants to test the quality of one's products. They will not survive if they are not up to the mark. The opening up of that market to Irish beef is a welcome step and, hopefully, will provide greater diversity to our farmers, exporters and food companies.
The Taoiseach met Vice President Biden on his visit to Japan. I do not know whether it would be appropriate to-----
It is the next question anyway.
There is a group of questions coming up on that matter.
I will leave the matter, so.
I thank Deputy Martin for his comments. I agree - I think this is a good suggestion. I recall when I was Minister for Tourism and Trade the Canary Wharf bomb - I think it was in 1996 it went off - and the Earls Court tourism show was to take place two days later. People at the time were saying it should be called off in its entirety. Up until that point, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Bord Fáilte were in two separate stands. The agreement was to put them all on the one stand. For the first time ever, we had the island of Ireland expressing itself as a tourism location.
I agree with Deputy Martin's suggestion. These are important elements of synergies and collaboration and, therefore, greater benefit. I must say that, both in China and in Japan, I had the opportunity to meet with the First and Deputy First Ministers and our for own Government representatives, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and so on to meet with their counterparts. It was taken in that spirit because there are services and particular specialties in Northern Ireland that are not available here. Between both of them, the island of Ireland can gain as a consequence. I think that is a good suggestion.
The Minister, Deputy Bruton, Minister Foster and their counterpart from Britain were the first "troika", if one likes, to go to Singapore. We hope to be able to continue that. The Commonwealth's reach of offices is so much greater than we could afford as an entity here and I am sure those facilities are available for this kind of visit.
Inward investment is not as strong as it could be. There has been a 20-year recession by Japanese standards in Japan. Prime Minister Abe's engagement was a signal of prime ministerial interest in Ireland as a growing nation in terms of what it is that we offer - IT, pharmaceutical, software, data storage, analytics and all of these areas. He made it clear that the companies with which we met, some of which are in banking, financial services, engineering and so on, could see this country as a launching pad into Europe. I hope it will improve and increase. Certainly from my experience of talking to Japanese companies, they are seriously interested in a country with stability and in a country that is making a serious effort to get out of its economic difficulties. They clearly understand the distance that Ireland has travelled in a short time. If we keep up the level of engagement with them in terms of visits and back-up in terms of Enterprise Ireland and the IDA we hope we can get this level of investment to a higher state.
Prime Minister Abe was very interested in being able to finalise the approval of entry of beef to the Japanese market. Deputy Martin is right - there is no room for messing here. The standards have got to be what the Japanese people require. In that sense, when I was there for two days, they had quite a number of meat producers from Ireland in Japan learning exactly the standards of cut that they require. The producers and their skilled personnel were in the factories, where it was demonstrated how it should be cut and presented for what the Japanese people require. In that sense, they do appreciate that, as a grass-based industry here, the quality of what comes in Irish beef is of exceptional levels but it has got to be presented right. In that sense, that message has got through very clearly.
My view is that this is a market that we can grow again to more than the €15 million that it was before. Since we were blocked out in 2001, it is a challenge to build it up to what it was, but the standards will speak for themselves. Those in the meat business know that there is no opportunity for wasters, inefficient production or inefficient levels of service.
For the Japanese people, in terms of what is presented to them, perfection is the requirement. One of the points made to me by one of the major firms was that goods being damaged or scratched or packages being dented in any way was not acceptable. One company built its own plant in Japan for packaging goods for distribution to Japanese customers because it is not acceptable that the goods be in any way inferior in terms of what they demand. So, they set standards across the board. It takes a little time to understand the extent of just how perfection is an issue with them culturally. To break into the market requires patience, understanding, consistency and that level of perfection, something that struck me very forcibly. Something that is not acceptable in Japan might be acceptable in other countries.
It is not surprising that the Taoiseach would get on well with the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, since both come from neoliberal and conservative political parties on the right wing of the political and economic spectrum. Apart from the business of adding a few ha'pennies of trade to the pence of trade while the Taoiseach was there, did he discuss with the Prime Minister the bigger picture and did he learn any lesson from Japan's disastrous economic situation of the past 15 years? I am sure that his advisers briefed him on the large property bubble that was built up, the land bubble, the significant speculation that occurred and the inevitable crash, as is part of the workings of capitalism, which led to a disastrous deflationary period for a considerable amount of time. As a result, the debt-GDP ratio is 230%.
The Taoiseach seems to have learned much in Japan but where the two key elements of the Prime Minister's policy, those being, fiscal stimulus and monetary easing, are concerned, the Taoiseach is continuing with the exact opposite - failed policies of austerity, bank bailouts, etc. This policy failed in Japan for years, requiring the turn by its current Government. Investment was also very low because big business was not re-investing sufficiently to create a stimulus.
While I am always cautious about what the outcome of "Abenomics" will be, given the fact that we are still working within the parameters of the capitalist economic and financial markets, the internal workings of which caused the ongoing crisis regardless of who was in charge, has the Taoiseach considered how he needs to learn from the deflationary situation that existed in Japan and the requirement for a change in policy in Ireland to end the austerity, and for major public investment in real job creation?
I will ask a last question.
I am sure that the Taoiseach was probably quite envious of the Prime Minister and his party, considering that they have been in power since 1955, apart from about four years, in spite of a very dubious history of the American CIA fashioning quite a bit of their policy over the years, corruption scandals and all the rest of it. In spite of the Taoiseach's close conservative links with the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, I do not wish him similar success in terms of longevity.
I thank the Deputy for that. We looked at the bigger picture, which is the programme of expansion and investment being considered by Prime Minister Abe and his government. Japan is an extraordinary country, with an extraordinary standard of living and an extraordinary level of investment, despite the fact that it has suffered recession for many years.
The Deputy asked about the situation here and the European Central Bank. I made this point on many occasions. Our priority for 2014 is to focus on our indigenous economy. Hopefully we can achieve 2% growth this year, 2.5% next year and 3% the year after that. This means a challenge of creating 50,000 net new jobs this year and the same again next year. Banking is an issue here, in Europe and all over the world. We want to see banks contributing to the real economy here. That means access to credit for small and medium enterprises, and the opportunity to follow through on incentives that can be provided. We need to do something about our construction sector, which is not contributing what it should. Hopefully, we can make it much more effective than it is at the moment. The European Commission presented a report to the European Council some time ago of 800,000 jobs being available in the digital sector by 2015. We have a lot of opportunity in Ireland with all our potential, but we need to develop that.
Mr. Draghi has made his position very clear about holding interest rates steady and on issues which Europe should follow. The European Parliament noted the opportunity for assistance to be given to Ireland for recapitalisation of legacy banks. That is still on the agenda and meetings held in January reaffirmed this. Banking union and similar steps towards making that case, while they are not of direct interest to Japan, are of interest to us.
I am not really interested in the Deputy's comment about the longevity of political parties. That is for the people to decide. They are always masters and judges, and we have to live by their decision. If the Deputy is in this business and does not understand that, then he should not be in it in the first place.
That is true. Does the Taoiseach have any additional scéal about the Japan-EU free trade agreement negotiations, as well as the strategic partnership agreement? How close does he think these are to concluding?
They deal with these things at official level sector by sector. The same thing is happening with the transatlantic trade and investment partnership, TTIP, between the EU and the US. I do not have an up-to-date report on the intricacies of what they are talking about, but I can send the Deputy a report on when they are expected to be concluded. Obviously this is of interest to us.
Official Engagements
Gerry Adams
Question:9. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with the US Vice President Joe Biden, during their conversation in Japan, the absence of a US ambassador to Ireland; if the Vice President clarified the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52591/13]
Gerry Adams
Question:10. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with the US Vice President Joe Biden during his recent discussions in Japan the continuing plight of the undocumented Irish living in the United States. [52592/13]
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden in Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52668/13]
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if the issue of corporation tax here was raised at his meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden in Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52669/13]
Joe Higgins
Question:13. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the US Vice President; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53718/13]
Micheál Martin
Question:14. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if Japanese-Chinese relations were discussed at his bilateral with US Vice President Biden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53724/13]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 14, inclusive, together.
I visited Japan between 1 and 5 December 2013. While in Tokyo, I was delighted to have an opportunity for a brief informal meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden, who was in Japan as part of a wider visit to the region. This was not a formal meeting, and we did not have an opportunity to engage in substantive discussion on policy issues. We briefly discussed our respective visits to Japan. I mentioned my meeting with Prime Minister Abe the previous day, at which we had agreed a new bilateral partnership for growth and innovation between Ireland and Japan. I also mentioned the very welcome announcement by the Japanese Government that it is reopening its beef market for Irish exports. The Vice President outlined the broad nature of his visit to Asia, including his trips to Japan, China and Korea.
We also spoke briefly about Ireland’s economic recovery and our impending exit from the EU-IMF programme of assistance. We briefly touched on developments in Northern Ireland, including the process being led by Richard Haass to deal with flags, parades and the past. We also discussed the state of play of the US immigration reform legislation, an issue with which the Vice President is closely engaged. We did not discuss corporation tax issues, or the matter of the appointment of a US ambassador to Ireland.
The recently appointed US ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, who is well known to us in Ireland, accompanied the Vice President at our meeting. She spoke of the success of events held in Ireland to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy, and how appreciative she and her family were of the hospitality afforded to them during their visit to Ireland.
Finally, I mentioned my plans to visit Washington for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in 2014, and I reiterated what is a standing invitation to the Vice President to visit Ireland during his tenure of office.
I understand the Taoiseach cannot deal with all the issues at these meetings, but the absence of a US ambassador here since December is important. I commend the former US ambassador, Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia, who have deep and commendable connections with this island. For the three years he was here, he represented his country ably and engaged in a very modest but cheerful way with people here. Will the Taoiseach raise this issue when he visits the US next month?
I would also like the Taoiseach to raise the issue of the so-called undocumented Irish. The figures are staggering and beyond my comprehension. Four hundred thousand people, mostly young, have left this State in the past five years. Between April 2010 and March 2013, 20,000 people left for the US, most of them in their 20s. That is a huge vote of no confidence. That is double the figure of the previous three years. We should think of the damage to society, to communities and to families. Many travelled on a student visa or by other means. It is estimated by the Irish emigration lobby that around 50,000 of these Irish citizens are living illegally. I am sure the Taoiseach will meet them when he goes there. They are working on building sites, in pubs and restaurants and wherever they can find employment. They did not go for the craic, as a lifestyle choice or for the experience. They went because they had no long-term employment prospects here. They had little prospect of meaningful work because of the disastrous policies of the previous Government and the austerity policies of this Government. Perhaps it is okay for single people, but many of them now have families and are living in a twilight world. They pay taxes and contribute positively to US society, but when it comes to a bereavement or a more joyous family occasion like a christening or a wedding, they are not able to travel back here because they are afraid they will not be able to return to the US. They live waiting for a rap on the door or for a visit at work from immigration officers.
Leas-Uachtarán Biden has spoken out on this issue. Unfortunately, the Taoiseach did not raise it with him, but that is fair enough. There is a reform Bill going through Congress that has passed the Senate and is now stuck in the House of Representatives.
Will the Taoiseach raise this issue when he travels to the United States? I understand that many of the difficulties arise from resistance among elements of the Republican Party. Will the Taoiseach make arrangements to meet congressional Republican leaders and raise this matter during his visit?
The Constitutional Convention proposed that Irish citizens living abroad have the right to vote in presidential elections. While I presume the Taoiseach did not raise this matter with Vice President Biden, will he raise it with political leaders in the United States when he visits in March? When does the Taoiseach intend to act on this proposal? I may have asked him that question previously.
The House has a number of reports from the Constitutional Convention to debate. I commend Tom Arnold and all of those who participated in the convention, including public representatives and, in particular, the 66 citizens who attended its meetings and contributed to its various debates in the past 12 months or thereabouts. The Government must respond to each of the different reports from the Constitutional Convention within six months, indicating what will be its response, for example, in terms of the possibility of holding referendums and so forth. We have already commented on a number of the convention's proposals.
The appointment of a new ambassador to Ireland is strictly a matter for the US President. No one can influence his decision, which depends on who he wishes to appoint. I spoke to one person who was approached to become the US ambassador but had to decline for health and family reasons. While I am not privy to the discussions that have taken place on any other appointment, the American side is well aware that we are anxious about this issue. I hope to have an opportunity to raise the matter with President Obama if the appointment has not been made before we meet.
Deputy Adams is well aware of what is happening in terms of immigration reform legislation in the United States. He is correct that some concerns have been expressed by members of the Republican Party. The nomination of Republican Party candidates in different districts and states for forthcoming elections may have a bearing on this issue. I hope to have direct discussions with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Boehner, during my visit. If so, I will raise this matter.
I commend the Irish ambassador to the United States, Anne Anderson, who has been very energetic on the Hill, as it is known, meeting leaders of both the Democratic and Republican parties in Congress and the Senate. She also regularly updates the Government on progress being made in that regard. I also receive regular correspondence from the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform on its contacts and connections with Republican and Democratic leaders in Washington. I understand the group will hold an Irish day in Washington in the coming week or thereabouts and I hope to meet its representatives when I visit Washington. I am not sure if Deputy Adams is travelling to the United States for St. Patrick's Day. If so, we may have an opportunity to speak to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if they are in the United States.
I hope we will achieve a breakthrough on immigration reform legislation. I do not believe the solution for Ireland is to have a separate, bilateral scenario, as with the E3 visa. If there is to be comprehensive immigration reform in the United States, it must be on a larger scale, which requires the co-operation of both the main parties. From a political point of view, I am sure this issue is of interest to both the Republicans and Democrats given the large number of people of other nationalities and from other countries involved and their potential impact on the electorate for forthcoming elections in the United States.
As we move into the latter phase of President Obama's second presidency, minds will begin to focus on these issues. This is, therefore, an important year for consideration of immigration reform. I hope the members of the Republican Party who have been expressing some concerns about reform proceeding will focus on the issue. I also hope there will be collaboration to make reform happen. For our part, we will do everything we can diplomatically and politically. If that means sending out further cross-party groups to engage in discussions with individuals, we will be prepared to do that.
I am well aware of contacts I receive, particularly from young people who are undocumented and not fully legal in the United States. It is always a source of concern to them that something may happen outside their control in respect of them being detained or whatever. That is not a good position and it is one that we and many American politicians would like to resolve. There is a bit of a blockage and I hope we can assist our US colleagues in dealing with it effectively in the interests of millions of undocumented persons who are in the United States.
When will the Taoiseach next meet the Vice President and President of the United States? Will he outline his full schedule of public appearances on his visit to the United States during the St. Patrick's Day period?
I gather from the Taoiseach's comments that the Government, in trying to secure a future for our undocumented friends and fellow citizens in the United States, believes that their circumstances need to be addressed at the same time as the plight of the estimated 11 million other undocumented persons living in the United States, many of whom are from Latino backgrounds. Is that correct? Unfortunately, many undocumented persons, including undocumented Irish people, are seriously exploited and open to exploitation and experience other human problems such as separation from family, fear and so forth, about which we know too well. Does the Taoiseach agree that the best approach would be for the tens of thousands of undocumented Irish and Irish communities generally in the United States to build powerful links and solidarity with Latinos and other people and nationalities who are fighting to secure recognition and obtain security of tenure in the United States? Does he agree that, rather than approaching the issue from a narrow national perspective with individual governments trying to make separate arrangements, the solution lies in all 11 million people, including Irish people, being given security of tenure in the United States? Is that not how the difficulties faced by Irish people and people of every other nationality would be resolved?
What do we want here? What we strive to achieve is a path to citizenship for those who wish to live in America legally. Two options are available. While we could seek to reach a bilateral arrangement, the process of achieving this is not as simple as it sounds. The second option is to have comprehensive legislation to deal with all nationalities, as the Deputy correctly noted. This was the objective as long ago as the presidency of George W. Bush but the relevant legislation did not pass because of objections from some of the southern states.
On 6 February last, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Boehner, gave a press conference at which he expressed doubts that the House would pass immigration legislation this year. He reasserted the view that immigration reform was required and indicated he would continue to consult members of his party.
This might be impacted upon by the nomination process for representation in different areas. Given the height to which expectations were raised six months ago, this is a disappointment. We must remain engaged with the process and with those who impact on it. As I said, Ambassador Anderson is doing a great deal of work on this in Washington. It is important that people who have connections with the Republican Party in the United States engage with it and continue to press for address of the concerns of our undocumented and to provide, therefore, for a future, legal flow for Irish emigrants into the United States.
I am happy to publish the itinerary of my engagements while in Washington, Boston and New York. I expect that the itineraries of every Minister or Minister of State travelling abroad will be also published. This is not only about attending the St. Patrick's Day festivities in whatever country but about engagement with Irish business interests, trade interests, cultural interests and so on. We are attempting to build an itinerary of value around each visit. This is not about travelling long distances to appear at St. Patrick's Day festivities but about a meaningful process around that. I am happy to have all the itineraries published.
It is important a US ambassador to Ireland is appointed. Former ambassador Dan Rooney did fantastic work on behalf of both countries. While he was US ambassador to Ireland he considered himself to be an Irish man and was an outstanding representative. It is a pity the new ambassador has not been appointed to date. I would have thought that we would have news of that appointment in advance of the Taoiseach's visit to the US for St. Patrick's Day.
There have been many false dawns in relation to the emigration story. Unfortunately, the key issue in terms of whether this will happen is domestic American politics. Notwithstanding what others have said in the House, I put it to the Taoiseach that it is important we keep an eye out for potential bilateral frameworks that would enable people to travel legally between our two countries. We have an historic relationship with the US, dating back many hundreds of years. Many of our countrymen were centrally involved in the American War of Independence and so on. For example, I negotiated the first working holiday agreement between our two countries with then Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte. I think Ireland was the first country to negotiate such an agreement. However, there were restrictive clauses in that agreement. It is not as liberal as the working holiday agreement we have with Japan or Australia. During the past decade up to 17,000 young people per annum were going to Australia on a one or two year work visa. Since the signing of the agreement with the United States fewer than 1,000 people have travelled, with only 500 having travelled in the first year. We can open up opportunities through the development of bilateral frameworks such as the E3 visa between Australia and the United States. I understand that the Hispanics are very clear on the need for a comprehensive agreement.
I dislike being pessimistic but, unfortunately, the complexities of the domestic political scene in America have frustrated attempts at a pan migration deal. This is a huge problem that has been ongoing into successive presidencies. I am not casting blame. I am a realist and understand realpolitik but I believe we need to open up two strands, all the time working with all of the other parties to see if a pan deal can be done while endeavouring to find out if a bilateral framework can be developed in some niche areas.
As I said, this is an important issue. While there was heightened expectation that this might happen, on 6 February Speaker Boehner expressed doubt in that regard. It is clear from the outcome of the discussions that the upcoming district level primary contests and the November congressional elections are proving to be the dominant factors in Republican Party thinking. This was confirmed by Congressman Gowdy in a discussion with Ambassador Anderson on 12 February when he said that electoral considerations were the dominant part of those discussions.
The Tánaiste visited Washington on 11 and 12 July last and attended a series of meetings in Capitol Hill. He met with the US Administration, five Republican members of the House, three of them members of the judiciary committee and Minority Leader Pelosi. The Tánaiste also wrote to Speaker Boehner. An all-party delegation from the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, led by the Chairman, Deputy Pat Breen and including Deputies Nash, Crowe and Senator Mark Daly visited Washington last October. They had 15 separate meetings with members of the US Congress during which they highlighted the position of the 50,000 currently undocumented. The delegation identified from their exchanges a will among Republican members to enact a set of piecemeal immigration reform measures, to which Deputy Martin referred. I do not rule out that but it might face serious challenges in the face of looming deadlines in terms of consideration of other matters such as debt ceilings and so on.
For the Deputy's information, I will outline the latest position. Following passage of the Senate Bill on 27 June last the issue has been under consideration by the Republican controlled House of Representatives. Early last month, further public comments from Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor and Chief Whip McCarthy again raised hopes that the Republican leadership in the House saw the need to proceed with immigration reform. To that end, they prepared a set of draft principles that would guide their action on immigration in the House and they presented them to members of their caucus for consideration at a meeting on 30 January 2014. Informed by this, Speaker Boehner gave his press conference on 5 February. These things are disappointing when expectations are raised. For our part, we will engage as comprehensively as we can with American representation in the hope of bringing this matter to a successful conclusion. It is in their interests as much as ours.
Written Answers follow Adjournment.