We will now take the long-awaited report from Senator Lydon on his attendance at the Crans Montana Forum (Euro-Mediterranean Area) on Peace, Stability and Economic Development, held in Monaco from 7-9 December 2005. Senators Lydon and Dardis represented the joint committee at the conference and Senator Lydon has prepared a report which has been circulated to members.
Crans Montana Forum: Report.
It was an unusual forum in that such a wide variety of topics was covered. It appeared not to be focused until one actually got into it. Eventually, we found that there were agendas in operation, which mainly concerned investment in, for example, the Balkans or Algeria — Senator Dardis can confirm this. One of the major events was a meeting with Ms Yulia Timoshenko, former Ukrainian Prime Minister. She was surrounded by bankers, investors and so on. It is a useful forum and we should maintain contact with it. I have been invited back to speak at two further meetings.
As I told the committee before, something I notice when attending meetings abroad of various organisations, such as the Western European Union and COSAC, is that other countries send the same personnel repeatedly, whereas we send different people each time. By the time delegates learn what a particular area or range of issues is all about, that meeting or forum is over. This is a matter we might consider.
It was an impressive forum. It is more of a forum than a conference in that speakers made presentations on stage, after which there were questions, and there was plenty of social participation. It is a great opportunity for people to make contacts. If members have any questions, they can address them to Senator Dardis or me.
I thank Senator Lydon, who led the delegation, for his report. It is clear he is far more assiduous and hard-working than I. I also thank Ms Julie Clark, who looked after us so well.
The forum was attended by people at a very high level, including Ms Timoshenko. There were senior bankers and industrialists from throughout Europe at the lunch I attended. Much business was done in terms of examining the situation in Ukraine. Ms Timoshenko was quizzed closely on the future of her country and she seemed confident of being Prime Minister once again in March.
This particular meeting was mainly concerned with issues relating to the Balkans and the area around the Mediterranean. There is, however, an annual plenary session which is far broader in scope, examining such issues as European and world economics and political development. We might consider sending a delegation to this key meeting in future.
Senator Lydon's report was interesting. The forum seemed to cover a broad range of issues and I am sure the Senators worked from early in the morning to late at night. Was there a tendency for it to become more of a talking shop than a forum for action? It seems the delegates tried to cover many areas.
I contend there are two issues that should be pushed to the top of the agenda. First is the fact that Europe, by all reports, needs more people in coming years; there are not enough workers. There is a large number of people who are under-employed in the Mediterranean area. This issue deserves significant attention but did not appear to get it at the forum. It seems the EU its doing its best to keep people from that area out, despite the need for workers.
The second issue is linked to the first. The committee discussed the question of integration some weeks ago. We are not doing enough to integrate immigrants, particularly Muslims from the east. If this is the case in Ireland, it must be even more so in those countries with greater challenges in terms of facilitating integration. These topics deserved a major part of the attention of the forum but were included among many others. It would be wise to consider whether a narrower agenda that focuses on the most important topics might be more useful.
We did not set the agenda and it was a ride-ranging discussion. In regard to integration, particularly of Muslims, I attended one presentation concerned with an examination of what Islam is. There were several off-shoots such as this at the forum and it was impossible to participate in everything. It is important to have a particular focus and seek out what is relevant. There was a particular emphasis on some issues, such as defence, investment and infrastructure. We learned some amazing facts, for example, that Macedonia built some 200 km of super-highway in a year.
There was a major concurrent element to the forum and one must choose those issues in which one is interested. The concurrent sessions consisted of small groups of participants and were focused on particular issues. It was only in plenary session that the wider aspects were dealt with. This forum was entirely focused on the Mediterranean margin and only in a few instances did it look at the broader EU aspect.
I am aware of that. It is precisely that area in which people are under-employed. Many of them want to come to Europe but there are barriers against them. This deserves attention. The other issue is that the question of the integration of people from that area into Europe does not seem to have received particular attention. I understand the Senators had much to do. I merely contend it might be better to focus on a narrow range of issues, but I take the Senators' point.
I note there is a major overlap between this forum and the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.
Yes, there was a meeting of parliamentarians at the start of the forum.
If we are to stay involved with this forum and if we get jurisdiction from the Ceann Comhairle in regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly process, we should try to ensure the same members and officials partake in both to facilitate the building of an understanding and expertise in this area.
In his last paragraph, Senator Lydon mentions a number of investment portfolios he has forwarded to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. He believes participation in this forum is useful and should continue. As Senator Quinn suggested, perhaps there should be a more focused approach.
I am sure Senator Dardis agrees with my strong view that we should maintain contact. One can never predict how useful these conferences will be. I attended one such in Zagreb, at a time when we expected Croatia to be admitted to the EU, and it was not successful. I am sure the next one that takes place in Zagreb will more productive. The driving force behind this forum seemed to be a conviction that something could be achieved by getting people together. They are interested in bringing on board Algerians, Albanians, former Yugoslavians and so on.
Would it be worthwhile for someone from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to attend? Do representatives of that Department go to such fora?
There was an Irish presence at the forum but we never met the person.
Was it an official?
A public servant.
I thank Senators Dardis and Lydon for their reports and presentation.
Drafts of the 59th, 60th and 61st reports to the Oireachtas Sub-committee on European Scrutiny were circulated to members. It is proposed that the reports as circulated be laid before both Houses. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Minutes of the meetings of 26 January, 1 February and 8 February have been circulated. Are they agreed? Agreed.
The joint committee went into private session at 1.10 p.m. and adjourned at 1.15 p.m. sine die.