Written Answers Nos. 26-37
26. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details on his recent trip to meet the UN Assistant Secretary General in New York to discuss the current situation in Syria; if Ireland has been asked to carry out any specific tasks by the UN Assistant Secretary General to help elevate the humanitarian crisis in the region. [44813/12]
View answerDuring my visit to the UN General Assembly in New York last month, I met with the UN Secretary General on 29 September for a wide-ranging discussion which covered also the crisis in Syria. SG Ban and I reviewed the current disheartening situation on the ground in Syria, with mounting casualties now estimated at well over 20,000 people killed in the past twenty months. We agreed that it was regrettable that such deep divisions continue to exist on how to end the conflict, not least within the UN Security Council itself but also among the Syrian population and within the ranks of the Syrian opposition.
We shared the view that the EU and the international community must redouble their efforts to end the nightmare of the Syrian people. In particular, we agreed that newly-appointed Joint Special Representative Brahimi needs all our support in his task of rejuvenating the Annan Plan and the Geneva Communiqué with the hope of finding a new way towards peace and a political settlement involving transition.
I also reiterated Ireland’s strong view that what is needed above all now is a robust Chapter VII UNSC Resolution which would include sanctions and a comprehensive arms embargo. This would go a long way towards cutting off the flow of arms to all sides and compel those who are responsible for violating the human rights of the Syrian people to stop their reprehensible actions.
I also underlined Ireland’s strong support for a referral of the situation in Syria to the ICC, given the clear need and duty which we have vis-a-vis the Syrian people to ensure there is some form of accountability for the many serious human rights violations which have taken place.
The United Nations, principally through OCHA (the Office of the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs), is playing a central role in international efforts to mobilise the substantial resources which are now required to deal with the humanitarian emergency confronting Syria and its neighbours. Ireland, for its part, is playing a significant role in supporting UN agencies and others in their relief operations. To date, we have contributed a total of €2.25 million in humanitarian assistance, principally channelled through UNHCR, ICRC and WHO. Minister of State Costello had extensive discussions with the UNHCR during his visit last August to the Zatari refugee camp in Jordan which UNHCR operates and which is now accommodating some 35,000 Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict.
27. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has held with Serbia on their accession talks with the EU; the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44880/12]
View answerI held discussions with the Serbian Foreign Minister, Mr Ivan Mrki, in New York on 27 September, during which the issue of Serbia’s EU perspective was touched on, particularly in the context of the requirement for a visible and sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo. I confirmed that we were looking forward to working with Serbia during our six-month Presidency. On 25 September, Minister of State Creighton visited Belgrade as part of a five day official visit to the region. She was there both as the representative of the Chair in Office of the OSCE and to build working relationships with some key interlocutors involved in Serbia’s progress towards the EU, in the context of Ireland’s Presidency next year.
The Minister of State held a series of meetings with leading figures in the new Serbian government and parliament, including Prime Minister Dai and Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Suzana Grubješi. Both recognised that, due to the recent elections in Serbia, and the time taken to form a new government, there had been little progress on the reform agenda in the previous 6 months. However, they committed to renewed efforts and underlined the steps which the new government has taken towards implementing the agreements reached in the dialogue with Priština. Minister Creighton stressed that Ireland stood ready during our Presidency to support actively Serbia’s ambition, taking account of the Copenhagen criteria. This included the possibility that a date for opening of accession negotiations might be fixed during our semester.
Since then, the Commission’s assessment in its report on enlargement, issued on 10 October, was that Serbia continues on its way to sufficiently fulfilling the political criteria. While recognising progress, the Commission pointed to further work needed on rule of law issues and relations with Kosovo before it could recommend the opening of accession negotiations. The Commission is to report further to the Council as soon as the necessary progress has been achieved.
The Commission’s report of 10 October will now be considered by EU Member States with a view to taking decisions on its recommendations at the General Affairs and European Council meetings in December.
28. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for when Ireland assumes the Presidency of the European Union on 1 January 2013. [43032/12]
View answerI and other members of the Government are committed to using Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU to tackle the greatest challenge facing citizens across the EU today which is to create jobs by stimulating economic growth. This will be the major overarching theme of the Irish EU Presidency.
Over the past 20 years the Single Market has boosted Irish exports and created thousands of jobs. One of the aims of the Single Market Act II, which was published by the European Commission on 3 October, will be to respond to changes in the economy over the coming years, particularly by exploiting the potential of the digital economy for business and consumers and contributing to growth and jobs creation. Ireland will also seek to promote external trade during its Presidency and will hold a meeting of Trade Ministers in Ireland during the Presidency which will focus on the EU-US trade relationship. There will also be a strong focus on tackling the causes of unemployment, and in particular youth unemployment.
As Presidency Ireland will work to restore confidence and stability in Europe’s economy by seeking to effectively implement economic governance measures and reach agreement on banking proposals to strengthen supervision. The Government is supporting the current Cyprus EU Presidency in its efforts to secure agreement on the EU’s budget from 2014-2020. We stand ready to take any remaining tasks that fall to us on 1 January next to ensure that the EU has a budget that can underpin economic growth and job creation in Europe through programmes of major importance to Ireland and other Member States such as CAP, CFP and the Horizon 2020 framework for research and innovation, to name but a few.
In relation to the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as Presidency, we will actively support the High Representative and the EEAS in promoting effectiveness and coherence in the EU’s response to current foreign policy and security challenges. While the Foreign Affairs Council agenda is mainly driven by current events, the crisis in Syria, the Middle East Peace Process and the Iran nuclear issue seem likely to remain high on this agenda in the first half of 2013.
In the area of development aid, we will focus on themes including shaping the post-2015 framework for international development as we look beyond the 2000 Millennium Development Goals. This issue will figure prominently at the Informal meeting of EU Development Ministers in February 2013. We are also planning to organise an international conference in Dublin, bringing together the themes of hunger, nutrition and climate justice, working in close cooperation with Mary Robinson. It will aim to bring the voices of local communities in developing countries to bear on the policy debate on the future of global development.
In my role as Chairman of the General Affairs Council during the Presidency, I will ensure that EU Enlargement will also be a priority for the Irish Presidency.
29. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that between March 2001 and October 2011 Israeli forces destroyed €50 million worth of Palestinian infrastructure, €30 million of which was funded by the EU; and if he will raise this with other EU counterparts. [44806/12]
View answerThere is growing concern about this issue within the EU. Some 82 projects which have received funding from the EU or its member States have been damaged or entirely destroyed by Israeli actions in this period, with damage estimated at €30 million. While I am not aware of any Irish-funded work which was destroyed, some of the projects had been funded by the Humanitarian Response Fund, to which we have made contributions. Some of the damage may have been inflicted inadvertently in genuine security-related operations. The largest single item, amounting to about one third of the total, was the complete destruction in late 2001/early 2002 of Gaza Airport, which the EU and other donors had been preparing for re-opening. Most of the damage and destruction carried out was concentrated during the periods of the second intifada (2001-2004) or during Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli military operation in Gaza, in late 2008/early 2009. Nonetheless, it remains evident that much of the destruction caused has been quite deliberate and includes structures such as solar panels, wells and cisterns as well as refugee housing for people already displaced from elsewhere.
The EU is deeply concerned about the destruction of humanitarian and development assistance projects funded by European taxpayers. But I am just as concerned about the much wider practice of the continuing destruction of Palestinian homes and infrastructure, of which this is just the most visible element. This practice is equally abhorrent and unjustified.
This is an issue of ongoing and widespread concern within the EU. It was included in the issues addressed in the May 2012 Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions. Partners are continuing to examine measures to prevent such destruction, especially of EU-funded works.
30. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are any trade missions planned to visit Russia in the near future, on the back of the trade mission he led to Russia in June. [44814/12]
View answerProposals for Trade Missions to be led at Ministerial level in 2012 were submitted by Enterprise Ireland last December simultaneously to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and to me for consideration and approval. The agreed programme for this year was presented to the Export Trade Council at its 16 February meeting. It is still too early to discuss the EI programme of Trade Missions for 2013, having regard also to ongoing Ministerial travel planning related to our EU Presidency. The Deputy will be aware that Russia has been identified as a key high-growth and high-potential market for Ireland under the Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. The local market team, chaired by our Ambassador, with the participation of the relevant State Agencies, is working actively to expand trade, investment and education links.
During a visit to Russia in November 2011, I co-chaired a meeting of the Ireland-Russia Joint Economic Commission. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore how our trade and business links with Russia could be further developed. My visit led to a follow up meeting with a sectoral focus in Dublin in May of this year at which a Work Programme was adopted. On that occasion, the Russian delegation met the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D. who subsequently led an Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Moscow from 18-22 June. During this Mission, Minister of State Costello participated in a large number of business engagements organised by the Embassy and State Agencies, as well as in high-level political meetings.
I believe that through this combination of high level contacts and work on the ground on a daily basis by our Embassy and the State Agencies, our trade relations with Russia will continue to strengthen. In 2011, Irish merchandise exports to Russia increased by 34% to €507 million making Russia, for the first time, one of our twenty most important markets for exports of merchandise. Strong levels of export growth have continued into 2012 with merchandise exports of €401m for the first 8 months of the year, an increase of 15% over the same period in 2011. The Russian market is an important one for indigenous companies, accounting for over 10% of indigenous exports in 2011.
31. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied with the manner in which audits are undertaken on non Governmental organisations which are funded through Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44645/12]
View answerThe Government’s aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger. About a quarter of Ireland’s development assistance is channelled through development Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). In accordance with the objectives of the aid programme, this funding is provided to support the long term development work carried out by NGOs in developing countries as well as emergency humanitarian assistance and development education programmes. I am satisfied that all funding to NGOs is allocated and monitored on the basis of the highest oversight standards at all stages of the funding cycle, including audit. Funding proposals submitted by NGOs are rigorously appraised against clear criteria by Irish Aid staff and, as appropriate, by external experts. The criteria include a proven organisational capacity for the effective use of funding and an assessment of management and oversight systems within partner organisations.
Audit is a fundamental component of good governance and the primary responsibility for complying with audit obligations rests with the NGOs funded by the Department. Contracts signed between the Department and NGO partners stipulate that annual audited accounts must be submitted to the Department as part of the annual reporting process. In the interests of transparency, Irish Aid also requires NGOs to publish their audited accounts on their websites.
Departmental procedures to ensure that funding is used for the intended purposes include regular field monitoring visits, annual narrative and financial reporting against agreed objectives and budgets, evaluations, audits and ongoing reviews of compliance.
In common with other Departments, expenditure under the two Votes of the Department of Foreign Affairs is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. In addition, the Department has its own Evaluation and Audit Unit, which is staffed by professionals and has responsibility for the internal audit function. Using a risk-based audit approach, it carries out and manages a range of evaluations, audits and Value for Money reviews, including reviews of NGO partners. Recent audits carried out have included those of the major Irish development NGOs, Concern, Goal and Trócaire.
In addition to these robust internal systems, the Department has an independent Audit Committee which reports to the Secretary General. It provides an independent appraisal of audit reports and of the Department’s audit and evaluation arrangements. The Committee meets regularly with the Secretary General and senior management of Irish Aid and annually with the Comptroller and Auditor General. It also publishes an annual report on its work.
The Government attaches the highest importance to ensuring effective audit and evaluation of all public expenditure. In my Department, regular reviews of the overall audit approach, audit work programmes and resource levels will continue to be undertaken by management to ensure that audit systems and coverage remain appropriate to the risks and challenges facing the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Irish Aid.
32. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have been held with Albania on the accession talks with the EU; the outcome of the talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44892/12]
View answerI had a brief meeting with the Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti on 27 September during the UN General Assembly in New York when he updated me on Albania’s reform efforts and on regional cooperation. I indicated, in response, that we look forward to working with him during our forthcoming EU Presidency. A more detailed discussion on the question of Albania’s relationship with the EU took place the following day when Minister of State Lucinda Creighton T.D. visited Tirana as part of a five day official visit to the region. She was there both as the representative of the Chair in Office of the OSCE and to build working relationships with some of the key interlocutors involved in Albania’s progress towards the EU, in the context of Ireland’s Presidency next year.
She met with Prime Minister Sali Berisha and with Minister for Integration Majlinda Bregu, both of whom reiterated their commitment to EU integration and set out the progress that had been achieved in Albania’s reform process over the past year. They expressed the hope that this would result in the granting of candidate status later this year. Minister Creighton welcomed the progress made. She also reiterated the OSCE’s readiness to continue supporting Albania in addressing outstanding issues in the areas related to judicial reform, the fight against corruption and strengthening the rule of law, all of which are important in the context of the country’s EU aspirations.
Since then, the Commission’s assessment, in its report on enlargement issued on 10 October, was that Albania has indeed made good progress. The Commission has recommended candidate status subject to completion of a number of key measures in the areas of judicial and public administration reform and revision of the parliamentary rules of procedure. The Commission is to report further to the Council as soon as the necessary progress has been achieved.
The Commission’s report of 10 October will now be considered by EU member States with a view to taking decisions on its recommendations at the General Affairs and European Council meetings in December.
33. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the practical advantages of trade being assimilated into his Department; the progress that has been made as a result of the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44905/12]
View answerThe promotion of Ireland’s economic and trading interests overseas has been and remains a strategic priority for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy Network. Alongside its foreign policy, diplomatic and consular functions, the Embassy Network is a key platform for the promotion of Ireland’s trade, investment and tourism objectives. A significant part of my Department’s contribution to national economic recovery has centred on using the Embassy Network to disseminate the Government’s economic message and help restore our international reputation. The transfer of certain trade promotion functions to my Department on 1 June last year was in one sense a formal recognition of the trade promotion work carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic and consular missions over many years. The most significant institutional innovation was establishment under the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Export Trade Council, which I chair, and which oversees coordination and implementation of the Government’s Trade Strategy.
The Deputy will be aware that the Trade Strategy sets out concrete targets in trade, tourism and investment to be met by 2015 as well as a programme of actions conducive to achieving these targets. The responsible Ministers and Heads of State Agencies are members of the Export Trade Council as are senior representatives of certain other Departments and, importantly, a number of private sector individuals with relevant experience. The Council has met three times, most recently on 20 September. Earlier this year, I reported to Government on progress in implementing the Strategy in 2011.
The Trade and Promotion Division of my Department supports the work of the Export Trade Council. This involves regular engagement at Headquarters with Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, Culture Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland as well as other Departments in order to build a Team Ireland approach both at home and abroad. The Division also acts as the interface between the Embassy Network and other relevant Government Departments, the State Agencies and the private sector. Ireland’s bilateral relations, economic as well as political, with other countries are the responsibility of geographical Divisions and Units of my Department. Trade and Promotion Division liaises with them, particularly with respect to the priority countries identified under the Trade Strategy.
Local market teams, chaired by Ambassadors with State Agency participation, are in place in all these priority countries. The local teams’ market plans for 2012 were reviewed by the Export Trade Council in February, their mid- year progress reports in September. On foot of guidance from the Council, we aim to further increase the value of mid- and end-year progress reports by sharpening their focus on the impact of actions taken on the realisation of agreed objectives. The local market teams are gradually becoming better coordinated and it is notable that shared effort is not confined to standout promotional occasions such as St Patrick’s Day and high level visits. All concerned understand that it is imperative that optimum use is made of State resources in support of the objectives of the Trade Strategy.
Another area where progress has been made since my Department assumed certain trade promotion functions is the annual programme of Minister-led Enterprise Ireland Trade Missions. In December, Enterprise Ireland now submits a draft programme for the following year to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and to me. The programme is agreed between our two Departments and presented to the Export Trade Council. My Department manages the missions led by the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello TD., and by me. This year, we have led Enterprise Ireland Trade Missions to Turkey, Russia, the UK and Brazil; before the end of the year, Minister Costello will also lead missions to Italy and to South Africa.
Finally, my Department now co-ordinates the Joint Economic Commissions with a number of high growth and emerging countries. Following my co–Chairmanship of the Ireland Russia Joint Economic Commission in Moscow in November 2011, a delegation of Russian officials, including co chairs of the sectoral working groups established in areas of mutual interest, met their Irish counterparts here in May and agreed a work programme. The China-Ireland JEC will meet here on Friday, preceded by a first meeting of a Joint Investment Promotion Working Group. On 30 November, the Irish side will host the Joint Economic Commission with South Korea.
34. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken on the issue of the undocumented Irish in the USA; if he has discussed the E-3 Visa amongst members of Congress and the White House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44878/12]
View answerThe welfare of the Irish abroad is a very important priority for the Government. There are particular concerns in the United States where addressing the position of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements are priorities for the Government in its contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The Government’s keen interest in a resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish migrants is well recognised and accepted by our contacts within US Administration and Congress. Their advice to us remains that comprehensive reform of the US immigration system and procedures is likely to be the only manner by which this can be achieved.
With a view to building some positive momentum around immigration issues, we have focused our efforts on enabling Irish people to apply for E-3 temporary U.S. work visas. The passage of existing draft legislation by Congress to extend this scheme to Irish citizens would make up to 10,500 E-3 visas available each year. The level of support achieved to date for this draft legislation among members of Congress is encouraging. However, further progress will have to await the outcome of the Presidential and Congressional elections in November.
Through our Embassy in Washington, the Government will continue to work closely with our friends in Congress and with Irish-American community representatives and ensure that every opportunity is taken to put an E-3 visa scheme in place. I met with Irish community lobby groups for immigration reform during my visit to New York in September and discussed this issue in some detail with them. We agreed to continue to work together on this important endeavour.
35. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on sanctions on Iran with regard to UN Chapter VII, article 39, which the Security Council used to impose sanctions under article 41 (details supplied) and in the absence of a threat to the peace determination, his views on the Security Council adopting binding measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44913/12]
View answer56. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied with EU actions to curb Iranian efforts to achieve armed nuclear capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44902/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 56 together.
The EU and others have been engaged for almost eight years in efforts to negotiate with Iran a solution to the issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. The EU High Representative, Baroness Ashton, has led negotiations for the E3+3 group (UK, France, Germany, US, Russia and China) with Iran at three negotiating sessions this year as well as at a number of ancillary meetings. The E3+3 Foreign Ministers met at the General Assembly session in New York last month to consider how to proceed.
I am satisfied that the EU, along with its other partners, is doing everything it can to put pressure on Iran to change its course and to negotiate seriously so to address the major concerns which exist regarding its nuclear programme. Regrettably, it has been necessary to impose several rounds of EU sanctions as part of this. A further round of sanctions was agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council which I attended on Monday.
The E3+3 have shown both great patience and creativity in exploring every avenue for agreement. I believe that there are those in Iran who also wish to reach agreement. However, the regime as a whole has thus far failed to respond and to engage in serious negotiation. I very much hope that they will do so soon.
The UN Security Council has also found it necessary to adopt six resolutions and impose four rounds of sanctions in relation to Iran’s nuclear programme. In adopting such Resolutions, the members of the Security Council would benefit at all times from the advice of the UN Secretary General and of the Office of the UN Legal Counsel as to the resolutions in question being in full accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter. Security Council Resolutions once adopted are, of course, binding on all UN member States.
Ireland has shared the widespread international concerns about the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. These concerns are felt most strongly by other states in the region and are by no means confined to Israel. There can be no doubt that this issue has increased instability and could even conceivably lead to conflict in an already very troubled part of the world.
I will continue to make the case strongly to our EU and other international partners that the issues arising in connection with Iran’s nuclear activities can only be resolved through diplomatic negotiations and not by any other means.
36. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Serbia's readiness for accession to the European Union; if it is his intention that a date will be set for Serbian accession during the Irish Presidency of the Council in 2013; his further views on discriminatory policies within Serbia towards Serbian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer citizens in view of recent events in Belgrade; if it his intention to address these matters with the Serbian Government during Ireland's presidency in advance of any accession date being set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44646/12]
View answerThe European Commission published its Annual Enlargement Strategy and Progress Reports on 10 October. On Serbia, while recognising progress, the Commission pointed to further work needed before it could recommend the opening of accession negotiations. In particular, Serbia needs to pay attention to the rule of law, notably the judiciary and the rights of vulnerable groups and Serbia needs to take steps towards a visible and sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo. I agree with the Commission’s assessment. Whether a date for opening accession negotiations with Serbia can be set during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council in 2013 is dependent on a number of factors. In the first instance, Serbia will have to fulfil the requirement of an improvement in relations with Kosovo. Secondly, the Commission will have to report that Serbia has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with EU membership criteria. Then the Council will assess this report before coming to a decision. Accession is the result of a negotiation, and the eventual outcome and timeframe in respect of any application cannot be predicted.
Turning to the concerns raised in relation to LGBT rights in Serbia, as I have already stated publicly, I greatly regret the decision of the Serbian authorities to ban the Belgrade Pride Parade for the second year in a row on security grounds.
The European Union is first and foremost a community of values based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. These are values upon which European Union is built, and it is essential that Serbia, as a candidate country for membership, respects them. Serbia will be expected to demonstrate that it can fully protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in Serbia before the country can be admitted to the EU.
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which unilaterally or in conjunction with his EU and UN colleagues he can focus worldwide attention on the fate of Malala Yousufzai who was gunned down for having the temerity to raise the question of girls' rights to education and who has maintained her position for which she has unfortunately paid a very high price; if he will encourage his international colleagues to use all their influence to ensure that the cause to which she is espoused is invigorated by her sacrifice and example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44831/12]
View answer69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he and his EU colleagues directly or in conjunction with the UN can bring diplomatic pressure to bear on those responsible for the shooting of Malala Yousufzai who has shown great courage and commitment in highlighting discrimination against girls in the education system and who has continued to wage a campaign for her contemporaries even in the face of violence; if he will endeavour to engage the international community to discourage and condemn the situation which led to her shooting and bring to justice her perpetrators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45232/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 69 together.
I was appalled to learn that a 14-year-old Pakistani schoolgirl, Malala Yousafzai, was attacked by extremists for advocating girls’ rights to education in Swat, Pakistan. Malala Yousafzai is an admirable young woman who received Pakistan’s first national peace award last year, and was also nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize.
Ireland’s diplomatic relations with Pakistan are maintained by secondary accreditation via our Embassy in Ankara. Therefore I have requested that officials at the Embassy maintain contact with relevant EU colleagues in Islamabad regarding this case.
The Deputy will be aware that since this incident the High Representative / Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton and the Secretary General of the United National Ban Ki Moon have both issued statements condemning this attack. I share their condemnation; such incidents are unacceptable. Like many others, I admire Malala Yousufzai’s courageous efforts to promote the fundamental right to education. She has arrived in England for specialist treatment and I wish her a full and speedy recovery.
The EU engages in regular dialogue with Pakistan on human rights and democratic principles, including the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The EU has called on the Pakistani authorities, at the highest level, to adopt measures to protect individual and minority rights in line with its Constitution and with international human rights standards and conventions. The EU has made clear to the Government of Pakistan that under its constitutional and international requirements it has a responsibility to protect its citizens.
Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and opinion. I will continue to work with my international colleagues through the mechanisms of the EU and the UN to ensure that these rights are protected. Furthermore, I have asked officials in my Department to monitor and report on the ongoing situation in Pakistan.
In relation to this specific case of Malala Yousafzai, I would also like to reiterate and support the recent statement by UNICEF which called on all parties in Pakistan to respect all children’s rights, including education in a safe and protective environment.
