Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
133. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will give details of Ireland's potential role in the European Commission initiative that was announced in September 2012 regarding the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps; the way he envisages Irish citizens engaging with this initiative that is similar to the United States of America's Peace Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25852/13]
View answerIn September 2012, the European Commission launched its proposal for the establishment of the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps, as provided for under the Lisbon Treaty. This proposed programme, known as the EU Aid Volunteers Initiative, is aimed at strengthening the EU’s capacity to respond to humanitarian crises and at building the capacity and resilience of vulnerable communities. It also aims to provide training and experience to those interested in working in the humanitarian sector and to raise the levels of awareness and the visibility of the humanitarian assistance provided by the EU across the world. Ireland supports the establishment of a well-functioning, well-trained corps of humanitarian aid volunteers, through an initiative which responds to the needs of the humanitarian aid sector and of the people they seek to help on the ground. Throughout the course of our Presidency, we have been working closely with the Council and Commission to facilitate agreement on the Council position with a view to commencing discussions with the European Parliament, as co-legislator, on the text of the draft Regulation required to establish the legal basis for the initiative.
The EU Aid Volunteers Initiative is intended, inter alia, to offer opportunities to young Europeans with an interest in humanitarian assistance, but without sufficient experience to gain employment. Irish citizens will be afforded the same opportunity to apply to participate in this initiative as citizens of all other EU Member States.
At home here in Ireland, the Government’s Policy for International Development “One World, One Future”, which was launched earlier this month, sets out our commitment to modernise the way in which we support volunteering. One of the key ways in which this will be done will be through a new national Volunteering Initiative which will strengthen support for volunteering and promote participation in high quality volunteer programmes that contribute to development. The Volunteering Initiative will reflect needs in developing countries and increase volunteering opportunities for those who have those skills and experience that are in short supply in the developing world. Our commitment to work to enhance humanitarian volunteering opportunities at EU level for Irish citizens will also be an important component of the Volunteering Initiative.
