Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
90. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider the seven action points put forward by Trocaire in relation to Ireland's presidency of the EU in 2013; and his thoughts on same. [40107/12]
View answerIreland’s EU Presidency offers an important opportunity to lead and influence debate on international development issues, with a credibility based on the strength and effectiveness of our aid programme. In focusing on EU development policy during the Presidency, we will seek to build on the strong focus in Ireland’s aid programme on the fight to end hunger and undernutrition and the growing impact of global challenges, including climate change.
The Irish Presidency comes at a crucial period for international development policy, as the international community opens discussion on the framework for global development after 2015, the target date for the Millennium Development Goals. A special political meeting will be held at the United Nations, probably in September 2013, to review progress on the Millennium Development Goals and to begin consideration of the post-2015 development framework.
A key priority for Ireland’s Presidency will be to ensure that the EU adopts a strong, coherent position for this Millennium Development Goals event. In working with our partners to guide discussions on the post-2015 development framework we will build on our commitment to eradicate poverty and hunger in the world. We will also work to highlight the important linkages between hunger, nutrition and climate change and to have these linkages recognised for future policy and programming internationally.
We will also work to forge stronger links between humanitarian relief and development aid, based on experience in emergencies in recent years. Drawing on lessons from the Horn of Africa emergency in 2011 and with input from our partners in developing countries, we will explore the practical application of these principles and showcase examples of best practice. We will place particular emphasis on the EU’s approach to disaster risk reduction, helping communities to prepare and take action to avert the effects of disasters and emergencies. We plan to hold an informal meeting of EU Development Ministers in Dublin in February 2013, which will be the first opportunity for substantive discussion by Ministers of all these key issues.
I and my officials have been consulting closely with Ireland’s development NGOs in preparation for the EU Presidency. The policy document just published by Trócaire is an important contribution to the discussion. I look forward to continuing our dialogue with Trócaire and the other members of Dóchas, the umbrella body for the development NGOs, in the lead-up to and during the EU Presidency.
