Written Answers Nos. 48-71
48. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the 2012 targets set for his Department for implementation of the Jobs Action Plan; if he will report on the attainment or otherwise of these targets; the reason targets were not met; the steps he is taking within his Department to create new jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1283/13]
View answerMy Department, in cooperation with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the state agencies, is responsible for four key actions in the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs. The relevant actions and progress on their implementation are as follows:
3.12: Roll out a schedule of sector specific Trade Missions and market evaluation Missions that reflect the priority markets identified in the Trade Strategy as well as firms’ interest and stage of development, aiming for at least 15 Ministerial–led Missions (DJEI / DFAT / Enterprise Ireland / DTTS / Tourism Ireland).
Minister Bruton and I approved an ambitious programme of 18 Ministerial led Trade Missions and other overseas events in 2012 focusing on key priority markets identified under the Government Trade Strategy. These Missions were led by Government Ministers and Ministers of State and a total of 15 countries were visited; China, U.S., Finland, Sweden, Turkey, U.K., Russia, France, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Africa, U.A.E. and India. I visited the UK and my colleague, the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D. led Trade Missions to Turkey, Russia, Brazil, Italy and South Africa. Feedback from the Enterprise Ireland client companies who participated in all of the Trade Missions and targeted events has been extremely positive and each Mission delivered significant progress for indigenous Irish companies in the export sector. I am currently working with Minister Burton to finalise the programme of Ministerial-led Trade Missions and events for 2013.
3.16: Develop and implement local market plans as provided for in the Strategy for Trade, Tourism and Investment for key high–growth regions and through the Export Trade Council work to optimise the resources of embassies and agencies to deliver ambitious targets (D/FAT / DJEI / DAFM / Enterprise Agencies / DTTS / Tourism Ireland )
Under the Government Trade Strategy, 27 priority markets have been identified for the integrated promotion of trade, tourism and investment. In each of these markets, Ireland’s Ambassador chairs the Local Market Team, which consists of Embassy staff and representatives of the relevant state agencies present in the market. These market teams submit detailed annual Local Market Plans outlining how they will grow trade, investment and tourism between Ireland and the market in question to the Export Trade Council (ETC), which I chair. The ETC is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Trade Strategy as a whole. I am currently reviewing the Local Market Plans from all 27 priority markets from 2013 and will be presenting them to the ETC this February.
4.4: Work collectively to communicate Ireland’s strength as a location for starting a business, and support the development of a campaign by the Irish Diaspora to encourage entrepreneurial start–ups in Ireland (DJEI / Enterprise Ireland / IDA Ireland / DFAT / Global Irish Economic Forum)
The entrepreneurial start–ups programme is currently being coordinated by The Ireland Funds, one of the largest philanthropic Irish diaspora organisations in the world, who are working closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to communicate Ireland’s strength as a location for starting a business. In a wider context, my Department continues to coordinate reputation-building efforts across Government, including regularly updating key messages on Ireland’s economic recovery and using our Embassy Network overseas to promote positive economic messages.
5.9: Utilise Global Irish Network as official advocates of new and expanded FDI investment in Ireland including introductory meetings, briefings and establishing a restricted website access portal on IDA Ireland website to provide communication and information to relevant Diaspora (D/FAT / IDA Ireland)
My Department made significant progress on increasing the span and scope of the Global Irish Network during 2012; growing it to 350 senior Irish business figures located across 40 countries. In 2013, the Network will continue to provide: high level access for the Government and agencies within key sectors and markets; mentoring and assistance for Irish companies through the Global Irish Contacts Programme; support for sector specific initiatives (such as The Gathering and Connect Ireland) and for Trade Missions. Regional meetings of the Network are expected to be held in 2013 in California and London and a third Global Irish Economic Forum may take place in October.
49. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of overseas aid the State is required to pay under UN requirements; the amount of overseas aid the State is required to pay under EU rules; and the amount the State voluntarily gives in addition to these sums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1308/13]
View answerAbout one third of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) is channelled through international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Multilateral organisations play a central role in building international agreement on key development challenges and provide support for the fight against global poverty, for the protection and promotion of human rights and in response to disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
In 2011, Ireland channelled in excess of €100 million in ODA through the UN system. Of this figure, approximately €750,000 was provided as an assessed contribution. €39 million was provided as unearmarked voluntary contributions to UN agencies, including the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Of the remaining €60 million, over €40 million was provided to UN agencies to respond to humanitarian crises worldwide, including €24 million to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and €6 million to the World Food Programme. Some €20 million is provided to UN agencies under our bilateral aid programmes, mainly in Africa.
In 2011, Ireland’s total allocation to the European Union institutions for overseas development assistance amounted to almost €110 million. €72 million was accounted for by Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation budget. Ireland’s assessed contribution to the European Development Fund, which funds EU development programmes for the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions amounted to €29 million. Ireland also contributed €8 million to the EU Global Climate Change Alliance.
Full details on these and all other aspects of funding by Irish Aid payments are included in Irish Aid’s 2011 Annual Report, which is available on the Irish Aid website at:
http://www.irishaid.gov.ie/news-publications/publications/publicationsarchive/2012/september/irish-aid-annual-report-2011/
50. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his Department have received any representations recently in relation to the Irish Embassy in the Vatican; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50914/12]
View answerI receive occasional representations on the status of our Embassy to the Holy See. Our non-resident Ambassador continues to visit Rome regularly and to meet with the Vatican authorities. The Government will regularly review the structure of our diplomatic network in light of Ireland’s priority needs and the availability of resources.
51. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will be recruiting or seconding extra staff for the duration of the EU Presidency; if so, the areas to which they will be seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50876/12]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade received a temporary reprieve from the impact of the Government’s Employment Control Framework and was also allocated 50 temporary extra posts for 2012 and 2013 in order to enable it to plan and fulfil its EU Presidency responsibilities and activities in the first half of this year. The sanctioned additional staff are now in situ and have been assigned as appropriate, either to front line Presidency-related activities or to back-fill positions vacated by experienced officers redeployed to Presidency roles.
At headquarters, nine staff have been redeployed to my Department from other Government Departments and Offices, to which they are scheduled to return in summer 2013. Ten administrative and 11 clerical staff have also been engaged on fixed-term contracts through the Public Appointments Service and 9 Interns have been recruited on the same basis directly by the Department. Furthermore, a small number of staff have been temporarily seconded to the Department from other EU Member States and from the EU’s External Action Service, at no cost to the Exchequer, and one retired officer has been temporarily re-engaged until July 2013.
As regards Missions abroad, the majority of Presidency-related posts have been assigned to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels, with smaller numbers allocated to other Missions including the Permanent Missions to the UN in New York and Geneva and that to the OSCE in Vienna. The Presidency staffing plan for the Permanent Representation in Brussels was prepared following a carefully coordinated inter-departmental needs evaluation. Overall, the staffing of the Permanent Representation has been temporarily increased by 80 officers in various grades, with the majority of staff assigned by other Departments and Offices at their own expense and from within their own staffing resources and some 30 administrative and clerical staff temporarily locally recruited.
52. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has any special arrangements made for the term of the EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50917/12]
View answerIreland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union will centre on delivering results on three core priorities: promoting stability, and creating the conditions for job creation and sustainable growth. Renewed growth and employment creation require strong and stable economic foundations. This is why the Irish Presidency is attaching such strong importance to the Banking Union proposals, and in particular advancing agreement with the European Parliament on the Single Supervisory Mechanism to restore confidence and to strengthen credit flows to SMEs to get Europe’s economy growing again. At the December General Affairs Council, Ireland presented its roadmap for implementing the European Semester, the new system for coordinating economic and budgetary policy within the European Union. Effective implementation of the Semester process is critical to restoring health to public finances across the Union. Stimulating sustainable economic growth to create employment is a key priority for the Presidency. In the run-up to the Presidency the Government reviewed work agendas across all Council formations to highlight proposals that have the potential to deliver jobs and growth. The Irish Presidency will place a particular emphasis on tackling youth unemployment which remains far too high in many Member States, including Ireland. As Presidency, Ireland will push for a comprehensive EU approach to tackling this challenge, starting with the Youth Employment Package. In particular, we aim to achieve consensus on the principles of the Youth Guarantee. The objective is to ensure that young people, who are not working or studying, receive an offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or traineeship. Identifying ways of tackling youth unemployment will also be the main focus of the Informal meeting of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers which is taking place in Dublin in February.
The Presidency has identified other areas to promote growth and jobs. These include an emphasis on securing agreement on draft legislation to improve the operation of the Single Market.
The Presidency will also work to secure agreement on a number of proposals and programmes aimed at supporting the next generation of research and innovation in Europe. It will also seek to advance proposals that support the growth of the digital economy and the broader digital agenda, including areas such as cyber security, e-signatures, data protection, web accessibility and high-speed broadband rollout. Progress in this area will deliver benefits for European consumers and business alike.
The EU’s external trade agenda is one area where we see significant potential for a greater contribution to growth and to jobs, particularly for Europe’s SME sector. 90 percent of future global growth is set to be generated outside Europe. That is why economic relations with key strategic partners, including the US, Canada, Japan and China, feature strongly in our Presidency programme.
With the benefit of Ireland’s close links with the US, we will work hard to agree the opening of Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the US. Ireland will be the first country to hold an informal meeting of Trade Ministers during its Presidency which signals the priority given by Ireland to this issue.We also expect to give political impetus to economic, trade and investment relations with other strategic partners including India, Japan and the countries of ASEAN. The EU’s relationship with China will also receive particular attention with a focus on investment protection and market access.
These are just some of the key priorities that Ireland has identified as central elements of its Presidency programme which was published last week. The programme was discussed with the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Commission College who visited last week. The Taoiseach formally presented the programme to the European Parliament on 16 January. I am very encouraged by the response that the Government has received from the institutional partners and our partner states in support of the Irish Presidency’s objectives.
53. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail all planned costs to his Department of press activity relating to the EU Presidency. [50875/12]
View answerCosts arising from press activity relating to the Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council will be borne from the existing press budget in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Arrangements for the informal ministerial meetings that are the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are covered by the common Presidency Press arrangements put in place by the Department of the Taoiseach.
54. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if during Ireland's Presidency of the EU particular attention will be given to the ongoing violence in Syria, Israel and Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52231/12]
View answerIreland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which started earlier this month, will be informed by the values and priorities of Irish foreign policy. Contributing to the search for a lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict and of the Syrian crisis are major priorities for me at present and will remain so over the coming months. Supporting the work which the EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy is doing on these issues, we will do everything possible to bring about an end to violence and repression and to violations of human rights and the rule of law in the region. We will make a strong national contribution to efforts to promote the “two-State solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to bring into being a new, democratic Syria. Deputies will, of course, be aware that, under the Lisbon Treaty, issues such as these which form part of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy have been placed under the coordination and direction of the High Representative and the External Action Service. There is no longer any direct role to be played by the rotating Presidency. We will, however, use the influence which Ireland has on these issues to support and promote the EU’s vital efforts, working closely with our Council colleagues and with the relevant official structures.
56. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, during his visits to Northern Ireland, funding for the Foyles Women's Aid Group was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54057/12]
View answer57. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has received representations from the Family Justice Centre, County Derry, in relation to funding or any other matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54058/12]
View answer58. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the work of the Family Justice Centre, County Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54059/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 56 to 58, inclusive, together.
My Department has not received an application for funding in respect of Foyle Women’s Aid, or for its Family Justice Centre project.
My Department provides funding to community and cross border projects through its Reconciliation and Anti Sectarianism Funds. The purpose of these Funds is to assist organisations involved in reconciliation work and efforts to create better understanding between people on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain, and to assist local initiatives aimed at tackling sectarianism.
Details of the guidelines and application process for the two Funds are available on my Department’s website (www.dfa.ie). If Foyle Women’s Aid considers that some of its work comes within the remit of either of the two Funds, my Department would be happy to receive an application.
60. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has carried out an assessment on the increased costs to his Department in 2013 due to the Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53798/12]
View answerIreland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU which commenced on 1 January 2013 is about getting the business done and pursuing our policy objectives in the most cost-effective way possible. In all aspects of the administrative planning, which my Department leads on, we have aimed to ensure that we are equipped to fulfil our responsibilities, meet reasonable expectations of a Presidency and do so in as cost-effective a fashion as possible. The Book of Estimates published on 5 December included an allocation of approx €36m for Presidency costs in 2013 for all Departments. The allocation for my Department amounts to €9.5m. In addition to covering costs for our own Presidency staff and programme of events it includes funding for a number of goods and services which we are managing on behalf of Departments including high-level interpretation, VIP transport and catering at state-owned venues. This centralised approach is being taken to achieve better value for money by using the combined purchasing power of all Departments/Offices.
A number of cost-saving measures have been introduced. This includes the use of Dublin Castle and other State venues for the vast majority of meetings that will be hosted by Ireland during the Presidency. At the Permanent Representation in Brussels, all additional staff are being accommodated in the existing office premises thus saving the additional rental cost that separate office accommodation would entail.
In addition the volume of goods and services supplied to the Presidency has been critically reviewed and restrictions are in place in relation to matters such as local transport. Where possible, procurement has been aggregated in order to benefit from greater buying power.
In addition, my Department is overseeing offers of sponsorship in respect of some core services and also in some sectoral areas. The total estimated value of this sponsorship is €1.4 million.
61. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the recent violent protest near Belfast City Hall with the First Minister or Deputy First Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55447/12]
View answerIn recent weeks we have seen widespread street violence in a Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland. We have seen attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland including the attempted murder of police officers and widespread attempts to intimidate public representatives and their families. I have condemned these events unreservedly. I have remained in contact with the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers and with the party leaders in Northern Ireland throughout. Over the past week I have spoken with Peter Robinson, Martin McGuinness, David Ford, Mike Nesbitt and Alasdair McDonnell. I will be travelling to Belfast tomorrow morning to meet with the Secretary of State, and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Officials from my Department continue to work closely with the British Government and with political representatives in Northern Ireland to identify ways to address not just the current crisis but its underlying causes.
Security cooperation between the Gardaí and the PSNI is at its most effective level ever. The PSNI are on the front line dealing with the violence of recent weeks – 99 police officers have been injured to date – and I want to reiterate my steadfast support for them in dealing with these most difficult circumstances.
I also wish to take this opportunity to put on record the Government’s abhorrence at the attempts on the lives of police officers.
The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want to see an end to street violence. The rioters are in effect wrecking their own communities. This year has the potential to be a great year for tourism to Northern. That potential must not be jeopardised by the recent terrible images from Belfast that have been beamed around the world by international media.
The economic cost of recent events is becoming apparent. Apart from the cost of the policing operation – estimated at £7 million – foreign direct investment, the retail trade and tourism are all at risk. The Confederation of British Industry Director in Northern Ireland has warned of the economic damage being inflicted on local businesses, tourism and investment.
It is my hope that out of this setback, we will see a redoubling of efforts to achieve a genuinely reconciled society in Northern Ireland. It is a reminder to all that the peace process is exactly that – a process which still has some way to go. Political cooperation and security cooperation on this island has never been better and we can rely on these relationships of trust and on the resilience of the Good Friday Agreement to create space for progress beyond the current difficulties.
62. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is concerned about party political demonstrations on PSNI headquarters following recent arrests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55218/12]
View answerThe completion of the devolution of policing and justice marked an important milestone in fulfilling the full vision of the Good Friday Agreement and closed the circle in the transformation of policing structures in Northern Ireland. All those involved in transforming policing and in changing attitudes around policing can be very proud of the changed service they have built and the new culture of policing. An important feature of the new dispensation is the presence of the Policing Board as an independent oversight mechanism for policing alongside an array of bodies guaranteeing public confidence in the new arrangements.
I believe that the right to peaceful assembly and to protest within the law is an important civil right in any democracy. However, I would hope that any such expression of protest against the actions of the PSNI would not be such as to undermine the progress that has been achieved on policing in Northern Ireland.
63. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with the Northern Secretary of State Theresa Villiers in relation to the recent decision to suspend the inquests into the victims of the Ballymurphy Massacre. [53793/12]
View answerThe decision to suspend the inquests into the deaths of those killed in Ballymurphy and others - and any appeal of those decisions - are before the courts in Northern Ireland and, as such, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time. My officials remain in close contact with the Ballymurphy campaign. The Taoiseach has agreed to meet with the families and I understand that officials are liaising with the families to identify a suitable time for their meeting.
65. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider the following regarding an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1829/13]
View answerAs you may be aware, all passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). This broadly provides that a person must be an Irish citizen and that his/her identity is known to the Minister for Foreign Affairs before a passport can issue to that person. Section 6(2)(a) and (b) of the Act provides that:
“(2) An application for the issue of a passport to a person shall be –
made in such form as may be specified by the Minister for that type of passport,
accompanied by such information and documents in relation to the person as the Minister may require under section 7, ….”
This legal provision underpins the information contained in the Application Form Notes that accompanies each application form. It is long-standing passport policy to require original long- form civil birth certificates in respect of passport applications for first-time applicants. These documents confirm the details of a person’s birth name, date and place of birth, all of which are critical components of a person’s identity. These also demonstrate a person’s entitlement to Irish citizenship and in the case of children, information regarding the names of their legal guardians. The latter is important because under the Act, the consent of a child’s guardians is required before a passport can issue to any child.
In this child’s case, applications for a passport were made on her behalf by her mother in February, 2008 to the Irish Embassy in London and in May, 2009 to the Passport Office in Balbriggan. On both occasions, the applications could not be finalised because the child’s long form civil birth certificate had not been submitted. The absence of this document meant that the Department could not establish for the purposes of the Act that she was a citizen. Moreover, her identity could not be verified or whether proper guardian consent had been obtained.
Among the documents, submitted in the previous applications, were
(i) a certificate from a doctor at the hospital where the child was born. This could not be accepted as it provided no details in regard to the child’s name or her father. Moreover, its legal status in terms of Spanish civil registration law has not been established by the child’s mother.
(ii) a temporary Irish travel document, which was issued to this child by the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bilbao in September 2005. In this case the temporary document issued on the basis that it was probable that the child was an Irish citizen and to allow sufficient time for all the necessary documents be provided to allow the issue of a permanent passport.
There is a legal obligation that any future passport for this child must be compliant with the Act. This means that the child’s mother needs to obtain a certificate from the Spanish authorities of the registered details of her daughter’s birth. The applicant’s mother has been previously advised of this requirement by officials of the Passport Service. To this end, I understand that the applicant’s mother has been in contact with the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Alicante and the Spanish Embassy in Dublin to help her obtain a birth certificate for her daughter. These efforts are ongoing. Once a birth certificate is received, the Department should be in a position to issue a passport on receipt of a fully complete application.
From this process, the status of the father as a possible guardian of the child can be determined. Heretofore, the child’s mother has claimed to be the child’s sole guardian.
The issue of a passport is the culmination of an important and legally-binding process. The series of checks and balances within that process embraces the standard principles, provided for in the Passports Act, of ensuring that the identity of the applicant is known and that the person in question is an Irish citizen. The receipt of civil documents, which can be verified, is an important aspect of this system, which helps to maintain the worldwide good reputation and integrity of the Irish passport, which in turn ensures the safe travel and wellbeing of Irish citizens, as they travel abroad.
66. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the bodies, other than statutory bodies, that were fully funded by his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1906/13]
View answer83. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the bodies, other than statutory bodies, that were partially funded by his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2037/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 83 together.
The Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group was established in 2010. Its role is to offer independent expert advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister of State for Trade and Development on the strategic direction of the aid programme. The administration of the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group is serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Department’s overall budget. The Group does not have any whole time equivalent staff. There are seven group members, including one Chairperson and one ex-officio member.
The Development Education Advisory Committee has been in place since 2003. Its role is to offer policy advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister of State for Trade and Development on development education and on ways of increasing knowledge and understanding of development issues in Ireland. The administration of the Development Education Advisory Committee is serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Department’s overall budget. The Group does not have any whole time equivalent staff. The committee is made up of nine members and a Chairperson.
The Development Education Advisory Committee was identified as a candidate body for critical review as part of the Government’s Agency Rationalisation Programme under the Public Sector Reform Plan. The role of DEAC was reviewed in the context of the recent Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid. A decision on the Development Education Advisory Committee will be made when the outcome of the Review, a new policy on global development, is submitted for Government approval in the near future.
The Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) advises the Tánaiste on the allocation of grants to Irish community organisations in Britain under the Emigrant Support Programme. The Committee consists of thirteen members, including two officers from our Embassy in London who act as Chair and Secretary to the Committee. Appointed Committee members serve in a voluntary capacity. Travel expenses associated with the Committee members amounted to €585.16 in 2011 and €635.47 in 2012.
A key message taken from participants at the 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum was the desire for members to be involved in coordinating the work and future direction of the Network. In response to this, the Advisory Group for the Global Irish Network was established. The Group is charged with overseeing the implementation, where appropriate, of the initiatives which emerged from the Forum and coordinating the overall work programme for the Global Irish Network The 19 members appointed to the Group represent the main geographic areas represented at 2011 Forum in Dublin Castle. It is serviced by the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in close cooperation with other Departments and State Agencies who also attend the meetings. The external members act in a voluntary capacity but travel expenses are refundable. The inaugural meeting of the Group took place in July 2012 and the second meeting will take place on 11 February. Travel and accommodation costs paid to date amounted to €8,610.
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his colleagues at EU and UN level can highlight the bravery of Ms Malala Yousufzai and her efforts to achieve education for women and girls in Pakistan and other regions worldwide; if the international community can use the attack on her life and her on-going recovery as a means of bringing positive attention to the issues that she highlighted in a coordinated international effort to ensure that her bravery does not go unnoticed and her sacrifices were not in vain; if he will be in a position to pursue these issues during the course of Ireland’s presidency with the help of his EU and UN colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1934/13]
View answerIreland’s diplomatic relations with Pakistan are maintained by secondary accreditation via our Embassy in Ankara and the Pakistani Embassy in Dublin. Following the attack on Malala Yousufzai in October last year, I asked our Embassy to maintain direct contact with representatives of the EU and its Member States in Islamabad. The Deputy will be aware that following this incident last October, there was widespread condemnation of the attack at both EU and UN level. The High Representative / Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton, and the Secretary General of the United National Ban Ki Moon issued statements condemning this attack – condemnations which I shared at the time, and continue to share. Like many others, I admire Malala Yousufzai’s courageous efforts to promote the fundamental right to education and her efforts to achieve education for women and girls in Pakistan and other regions worldwide.
At the UN level, Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and opinion. In addition, as an elected member of the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the period 2013-2015, Ireland is fully engaged at the UN to ensure that these rights are protected. Pakistan was also recently elected to the HRC for the period 2013-2015, so we will have the opportunity of working closely with them on a range of human rights issues.
In addition, during Pakistan’s most recent UN Universal Periodic Review in October 2012, Ireland urged the Government of Pakistan to give consideration to adopting measures to protect individual and minority rights in line with its Constitution and with international human rights standards and conventions, and recommended that the government of Pakistan invite the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders to conduct an independent visit to Pakistan.
During Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, I will continue to work with my European and international colleagues through all the available mechanisms.
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. In particular, the EU adopted a 5 year engagement plan with Pakistan in 2012.
The five year engagement plan aims to build a strategic EU-Pakistan relationship by forging a partnership for peace and development rooted in shared values, principles and commitments.
A Strategic EU relationship with Pakistan is of vital interest to Europe as well as Pakistan. The start of the Strategic Dialogue and the visit by High Representative Ashton in June 2012 demonstrated the importance that the EU attaches to Pakistan and its role in the region.
Since then, Ireland has remained engaged and is working with partners to implement this plan which makes clear that the Government of Pakistan under its constitutional and international obligations, has a responsibility to protect its citizens.
68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community can assist through the medium of the EU and the UN to improve women’s rights in Pakistan; if specific objectives have been set out or will be set out in this regard; the extent, if any, to which he sees a role for the smaller countries in the EU and elsewhere being expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1935/13]
View answerWhile Ireland’s bilateral diplomatic relations with Pakistan are maintained by secondary accreditation via our Embassy in Ankara and through the Pakistani Embassy in Dublin, we continue to work through the mechanisms of the EU and the UN to ensure that human rights are respected in Pakistan and elsewhere. In particular, the EU adopted a 5 year engagement plan with Pakistan in 2012 which we will continue to work with partners to implement during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU. Furthermore, the protection of the rights of women, and protection against gender-based violence is a priority outcome in the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy.
The five year engagement plan aims to build a strategic EU-Pakistan relationship by forging a partnership for peace and development rooted in shared values, principles and commitments. A Strategic EU relationship with Pakistan is of vital interest to Europe as well as Pakistan. The start of the Strategic Dialogue and the visit by High Representative Ashton in June 2012 demonstrated the importance that the EU attaches to Pakistan and its role in the region.
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. Further, 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.
At the UN level, the Deputy will be aware that Ireland was elected to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the period 2013-2015 in late 2012. During our term at the HRC Ireland will work with partners on a range of issues, including Pakistan which has also been elected to the HRC for the term 2013-2015.
In addition, during Pakistan’s most recent UN Universal Periodic Review in October 2012, Ireland urged the Government of Pakistan to give consideration to adopting measures to protect individual and minority rights in line with its Constitution and with international human rights standards and conventions, and recommended that the government of Pakistan invite the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders to conduct an independent visit to Pakistan.
69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which, at EU and UN level, he and his colleagues are in a position to focus attention on the rape and sexual assaults on women and girls worldwide regardless of nationality or culture with particular reference to the most recent incidents in India; if international pressure can be brought on all countries with a view to stamping out such attacks and the culture surrounding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1936/13]
View answerIreland which is a member of the Human Rights Council as of this month is, and has always been, fully committed to ensure that sexual assaults against women are condemned and eliminated. The same holds true for all the Member States of the European Union. The EU has made protection of the rights of women and protection against gender-based violence a key feature of the EU's Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy. The EU has also sought to clear the way for greater cooperation between the EU and the UN on this agenda. Rape and sexual assault cannot be tolerated, regardless of the gender, status or circumstance of the victim, or whether the assault occurred in Ireland or abroad. I condemn unreservedly the recent attacks which have taken place in India and I am aware that there have been reported widespread expressions of outrage there too. I note that the Indian prosecutorial system has brought a number of men before the courts to be charged and tried in relation to these two recent, specific incidents which have been reported worldwide in the media.
The next meeting of the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue is scheduled to take place this month and the issue of women’s rights will be discussed. I have asked the officials in our Embassy in New Delhi to participate fully in the preparatory discussions for this Dialogue.
70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue to be made to bring about a cessation of violence and the provision of support for aid workers in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1937/13]
View answerThe search for a solution to the conflict in Syria, which by the UN’s estimate has to date cost up to 60,000 lives, is a key foreign policy priority at present for the European Union and for Ireland. It will remain a key major priority during the period of our EU Presidency. Ireland will lend full support to High Representative Ashton in the efforts she is making on behalf of the EU to achieve an end to the violence and to promote a political resolution. In particular, Ireland and its EU partners are fully supportive of the work of UN/Arab League Joint Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, who is endeavouring to get some form of political process underway.. Special Representative Brahimi is working closely with the US, Russia, the Arab League and others in the international community to revive the Geneva Communiqué of last June which foresees the establishment of a transitional Government responsible for mapping a way towards transition and the ending of all repression and violence in Syria. Ireland and the EU will also cooperate closely with other international partners as we work to address the dire humanitarian situation in Syria and to mitigate the plight of thousands of refugees and millions of ordinary Syrian people in need of assistance. In this regard, I am acutely aware of the particular risks taken daily by aid workers operating inside Syria. This has been graphically witnessed over the recent months with the increased targeting of humanitarian actors including attacks on civilians, medical personnel and facilities, aid convoys and humanitarian workers. Such attacks on humanitarian personnel and operations are completely unacceptable. More must be done to break this vicious cycle of violence which is in absolute breach of international humanitarian law.
During our Presidency of the EU, we will continue to emphasise the need for all parties to the conflict to facilitate humanitarian access and aid delivery to people in need, to ensure the neutrality of humanitarian aid and to abide by international humanitarian law, as outlined in the Good Humanitarian Donorship initiative and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid.
71. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to become alerted to the difficulties faced by the Red Cross, Medicins San Frontieres and all aid workers and their agencies currently operating or attempting to operate in war zones or unrest in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere; if he anticipates any particular improvements in this regard in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1938/13]
View answerThe last ten years represent one of the worst decades ever in terms of attacks on humanitarian workers and lack of humanitarian access. Across the world, courageous humanitarian workers struggle every day to reach civilians in armed conflicts as well as those affected by the numerous natural disasters that occur each year. In many of these desperate situations the provision of life-saving relief by UN agencies, the Red Cross movement and NGOs such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and others is often the only tangible expression of support for those who require the help and solidarity of the international community.
The Government firmly believes that more must be done to break the vicious cycle in which humanitarians are attacked and their vital work undermined in breach of international humanitarian law. In too many instances the work of humanitarians is undermined by those who control access to those in need through harassment or violence.
Ireland remains firmly attached to the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence and our own humanitarian relief policy remains predicated on a strong commitment to provide principled, flexible and timely funding to organisations which deliver effective humanitarian assistance in response to clear and identified needs on the ground. We very much recognise the importance of protecting the so-called “humanitarian space”, and know from experience that those agencies which are perceived as impartial to a conflict are invariably best placed to deliver aid to those who need it most.
Against this backdrop, both the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) initiative and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid provide donors such as Ireland with a robust set of humanitarian commitments that are intended to ensure an appropriate, principled and effective aid response. From a national perspective, Ireland is strongly attached to the Consensus (and to the Action Plan which serves as a practical complement to it) and looks forward to championing the principles involved during our Presidency of the EU during the first half of this year.
Of course, Irish-based aid agencies have not been immune to the difficulties and challenges referred to by the Deputy, operating as they do in some of the most volatile and insecure environments in the world. Indeed, each day, countless numbers of courageous Irish, international and local staff members from these organisations struggle to reach civilians affected by conflict or natural disaster right across the globe. Given the political complexity of many of the world’s most serious ongoing humanitarian crises – such as in Mali, Syria, the DRC, Somalia and Afghanistan. – it is unfortunately unlikely that the difficult situation faced by humanitarian organisations will be substantially improved in the coming year.
The Government strongly supports and promotes the efforts taken by many of these organisations to develop solid security management plans and to employ dedicated security professionals to help train for and respond to security incidents. We are also continuing to work with the members and observers of the Dóchas Humanitarian Aid Working Group to develop a series of overarching professional standards for Irish aid organisations with respect to safety and security issues.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the many thousands of aid workers around the globe who are striving to save lives and to deliver humanitarian help to those who need it most, often under the most exceptional of circumstances. Their work, often overlooked and taken at great personal risk, is simply heroic.
