Written Answers Nos. 52-60
53. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there has been an analysis by his Department of the impact on foreign domestic investment into Ireland if the UK moves towards a renegotiation or referendum on their position in the EU; if he intends asking Forfás or other relevant bodies to conduct such an analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3182/13]
View answer56. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Industrial Development Agency will highlight to companies locating here that our position within the EU is secure but that the UK position is uncertain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3175/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 56 together.
While the question of the British relationship with the European Union is, in the first instance, a matter for Britain itself, I firmly believe that the UK is better off within the European Union, and that the Union is strengthened by having the UK within it. I agree with the strong case set out by Prime Minister Cameron in his recent speech on the subject for the importance of the UK's continuing and active membership of the Union.
The priority of the government is to build stability, jobs and growth, and we are working as Presidency of the European Union to ensure that these are at the top of the agenda across the work of the Union. The UK remains a key partner for us in this regard. With other Member States, we have a shared interest in making sure that the Union is properly equipped to meet the challenges of the future.
In the domestic context, continuing to attract foreign direct investment is one of the cornerstones of our economic recovery. Ireland's status as an attractive location for investment is underpinned by our educated workforce, our position as the only English-speaking country within the Eurozone and, of course, our strong commitment to the European Union. These factors will continue to attract investment to Ireland into the future.
Irish prosperity is also closely linked with deepening and enhancing the economic relationship with the UK, which remains Ireland's largest trading partner. Trade with the UK is of vital importance to the jobs and livelihoods of a significant proportion of our workforce. As set out in the joint statement of the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron on the future of British-Irish relations of March 2012, a joint evaluation of the British-Irish economic relationship and this project is now underway, with consultants working to examine the depth of interdependence between the economies and to identify common strategic challenges and opportunities to be addressed.
57. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has to advance the EU-US trade agreement during the Irish EU presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8948/13]
View answerThe Government identified the need to advance the prospects of an EU-US trade and investment agreement as a key priority for Ireland's EU Presidency. I am pleased to report that significant progress has already been achieved with the decision of 13 February by EU and US leaders to launch negotiations in the coming months. The EU and the US are two of the world's largest trading blocs and already have very strong trading and investment ties with each other. The joint EU-US High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth, set up following the last EU-US Summit in November 2011, was tasked with identifying policies and measures to further increase EU-US trade and investment including a possible trade and investment agreement to support mutually beneficial job creation, economic growth, and international competitiveness. That High Level Group issued its Final Report to EU and US Leaders on 12 February 2013. The Report concluded that a comprehensive agreement that addresses a broad range of bilateral trade and investment issues, including regulatory issues, and contributes to the development of global rules, would provide the most significant mutual benefit of the various options which had been considered. The Report therefore recommended to Leaders that each side initiate as soon as possible the formal domestic procedures necessary to launch negotiations on a comprehensive trade and investment agreement.
In a joint statement on 13 February 2013, EU and US Leaders welcomed the Report's recommendations and confirmed that each side will now initiate the internal procedures necessary to launch negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. For its part, the European Commission has indicated that it will move quickly to present a negotiating mandate to EU Member States for approval by the Council of Ministers in order to start negotiations as soon as possible, still during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council. As Presidency, we will play our full part in achieving this objective.
58. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the arrangements that have been agreed as a result of his meeting with the British Secretary of State for the North, in regards to the ongoing horse meat scandal. [8857/13]
View answerI discussed the equine DNA issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Ms. Theresa Villiers in Farmleigh on 11 February. We noted that the issue is now a Europe wide problem and we welcomed the ongoing cooperation and contact between the Irish Food Safety Agency (FSAI) and the Food Safety Agency in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The substantive issue is dealt with by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Substantive arrangements regarding food safety are the responsibility of the Minister for Health.
Having regard to the close trading relationship between the Irish and UK food industries, Minister Coveney has been in regular contact with Owen Paterson MP the UK Secretary for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Both Minister Coveney and Secretary Paterson have agreed that the FSAI and the UK Food Standards Agency will jointly agree on measures for protecting the authenticity of meat ingredients used in the manufacture of meat based products.
59. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he intends to develop a co-ordinated strategy on the Arab Spring and Middle East with his EU counterparts and EU High Representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8936/13]
View answerThe European Council on 7-8 February took stock of Europe's relations with its southern neighbours, two years after the first democratic uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt in early 2011, and considered how to enhance the EU’s strategic partnership with the countries of the region. Overall, and while there have been difficult days and many setbacks along the way, as evident in Syria, the balance-sheet remains positive. Democratic elections have taken place for the first time in countries such as Libya, Tunisia and Egypt and basic freedoms and foundations of democracy have been advanced in many of the countries undergoing transition.
Ireland welcomes the strong commitment expressed in the European Council Conclusions to continue developing Europe's partnership with those countries. The Conclusions acknowledged that these processes of transition will inevitably take time and should involve a differentiated approach which reflects the progress individual countries are making in implementing democratic reforms. Overall, the EU's relations with the Southern Neighbourhood must be clearly based on the promotion and protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
The European Council tasked High Representative Ashton and the Foreign Affairs Council to conduct a review of the effectiveness of the EU's current policies in assisting the political and economic transition of the region and to report back by next June. In looking at how the effectiveness of the EU's collective action in the region can be enhanced, Ireland considers it important to ensure that the pace of democratic and economic development is country-led and that there is clear ownership in each country of the overall process of transition.
We also believe it is important for the EU's reputation in the region and for its overall relations with the Arab world that the Union should show leadership to the extent possible on political issues of strong mutual concern, and in particular in seeking to advance the Middle East peace process. These are arguments we will advance in the forthcoming review.
