Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 April 2011
24 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has had discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to generating greater cohesion and solidarity and promoting a rediscovery of the original EU vision for Europe as set out by the founding fathers of the modern Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8848/11]
View answer26 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will put in place a major diplomatic initiative throughout the EU member states within and without the eurozone with the objective of explaining Ireland’s situation and position in respect of debt repayment with particular reference to allowing for sufficient economic growth and activity to provide for debt repayment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8847/11]
View answer31 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent briefings with Irish ambassadors to EU countries in terms of outlining our current economic situation to our EU neighbours. [8825/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 26 and 31 together.
Contacts with fellow member States of the European Union are part of the ongoing work of my Department. These are conducted in Brussels, by our embassies in the capitals of the EU countries and in interaction with the relevant embassies in Dublin. These contacts cover the whole range of EU agenda items; naturally, over the past couple of years economic diplomacy has been given particular prominence.
I intend that that should continue to be the case and the diplomatic initiative which I announced a couple of weeks ago has a particular focus on explaining the steps we are taking in the economic and financial area, the context for them, and winning the understanding and support of our partners. This includes the area of debt sustainability to which the Deputy refers. The initiative will make full use of the channels available, through our own embassies in the EU and through those accredited in Dublin. I met the Ambassadors of EU member states accredited to Ireland on Monday 18 April, giving them a thorough briefing on our position which was followed by a useful dialogue. There will also be a conference of Irish Heads of Mission at Headquarters on 1 and 2 June to ensure that our entire Mission network is briefed on the Government's approach and the points to get across to the authorities, as well as to media and economic actors, that they are dealing with.
I see these initiatives as pursuing the broader aim, set out in the Programme for Government, of restoring Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of European Union. We want to build up a pattern of consistent engagement, of advancing our interests in the EU, certainly, but going beyond that as well to making constructive contributions on the wide range of the EU agenda. This means ensuring active and consistent participation by Irish Ministers in meetings of the Council, and making the most of the opportunity thus provided for bilateral meetings on areas of interest with Ministerial opposite numbers and representatives of the EU institutions. For example, I held discussions with my colleagues from Luxembourg and Finland at last week's Foreign Affairs Council, and my colleague Minister of State Creighton had bilateral meetings with her Greek and Bulgarian colleagues at last week's General Affairs Council. Visits to a number of member States are also in planning, and these will be carried out in a coordinated way between colleagues and myself.
I should mention that one area of particular interest as we build up contacts will be plans for and expectations around the Irish Presidency of the Council of Ministers in 2013. Overall, we want to get a message to our European partners that our economic recovery is important not just for Ireland but also for the EU as a whole. We will also make clear that Ireland is determined to play a constructive role in the European Union, in keeping with our responsibilities as a member and our commitment to the values on which the Union was built.
