Written Answers Nos. 84-101
84. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his concerns, if any, at the rising tension between the United Kingdom and Spain regarding the issue of Gibraltar; if he shares many EU Foreign Ministers' concerns of any proposed border fee that would exist and the effect it would have for Irish passport holders living, working and holidaying in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37338/13]
View answerThe Government continues to monitor the situation in relation to Gibraltar as well as the ongoing discussions between the UK and Spain on the issues involved. In common with other EU Member States and with the European Commission, Ireland hopes that the two Governments and all parties involved will be able to address these matters in an open and constructive spirit and in a manner which reflects the two countries’ common membership of the European Union. In this context, we look forward to the outcome of the planned European Commission fact-finding mission to Gibraltar, which is likely to include an examination of questions which have arisen in the context of the dispute, including those relating to border controls and the free movement of people and goods. Together with the European Commission and the Governments of other EU Member States whose citizens have been affected, Ireland will be anxious to ensure that the relevant EU legislation is fully respected. Irish citizens who plan to travel by car between Spain and Gibraltar, in the meantime, may experience some delays in transiting between the two territories. Further information and travel advice is available on the Department’s website at www.dfa.ie
85. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has considered altering its diplomatic accreditation to Egypt as a result of recent civil unrest and events taking place in the country; if he believes an embassy of Ireland can still operate effectively in the current climate in the country; if his attention has been drawn to the other nations who have recalled their diplomatic missions in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37374/13]
View answerI have no plans at present to close or otherwise alter our diplomatic accreditation to Egypt as a result of recent unrest in the country.The Irish Embassy in Cairo has continued operating throughout recent months and has provided the normal range of services to Irish citizens and businesses, as well as keeping my Department updated on the evolving situation, and representing the interests of the State. The safety of both diplomatic and local staff has been a concern during this period, and access to the Embassy has sometimes been difficult, especially for local staff. My Department has monitored this position closely, in consultation with the Embassy, and we have not so far had to consider closure. Deputies will be aware in recent weeks of the Embassy’s work in relation to the case of four Irish-national siblings currently detained in Cairo. The Embassy has liaised closely with the family and visited the detained citizens on several occasions. This work continues and would obviously be impossible without a working Embassy in the country.
From a political perspective, it is more important than ever to keep diplomatic relations and communications open. Our Embassy enables us to deliver strong and direct messages to the Egyptian authorities. It also allows us to remain fully up-to-date with developments on the ground. Egypt remains in a state of transition and faces difficult choices. Egyptians are anxious about the future of their country. In my discussions with EU partners at the extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Egypt on 21 August, there was wide agreement that we needed to remain firmly engaged with Egypt, and to deliver clear messages, both of concern at some recent developments but also a great willingness to extend neighbourly assistance to Egypt at this time. No EU partner has closed their Embassy in Cairo.
86. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline Ireland's priorities for the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37382/13]
View answerIreland’s priorities at the 68th Session of the General Assembly will include continued efforts to advance the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals; support for efforts to promote of peace and security in particular in relation to areas of current conflict or tension; promotion of Human Rights, democracy and the rule of Law; and the strengthening of the effectiveness of the United Nations. Ireland will work closely with our EU partners to further these objectives throughout the session. I will attend the Ministerial Week of the UN General Assembly and will address the General Assembly on Saturday the 28th of September. I will participate in a Special Event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Ireland, along with South Africa, is one of the co-facilitators of this event aimed at implementing the MDGs, identifying existing gaps to be addressed, and beginning work on transition from Millennium Development Goals towards a post 2015 development framework. I will also attend events on mediation, peace building and disarmament. I shall use the opportunity offered by the General Assembly to meet with the Foreign Ministers of a number of important partner countries.
87. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the diplomatic missions of Ireland through embassies, consulates, honorary consuls and otherwise which are actively engaging in social media, namely in terms of Facebook and Twitter accounts; the reason not all embassies have taken to Twitter yet; areas in which his Department is particularly proactive in this regard; when he expects remaining missions to become active online; if he intends to get every diplomatic mission onto various social media platforms as part of digital diplomacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37387/13]
View answerMy Department is among the most active on social media and I recognise the potential of Twitter, in particular, to provide timely and relevant information to citizens in Ireland and abroad. The Department began to establish social media accounts in 2011. Currently our missions operate 25 Twitter accounts and two Facebook accounts, with more to be established in the months ahead. These accounts are detailed in the table below and are in addition to four Twitter accounts and one Facebook account operated centrally by my Department. As of last month, we had a combined total of almost 34,000 followers on Twitter alone. Social media is particularly useful in terms of providing advice about our services, including passports and travel advice; raising awareness of the work of missions and the Department more broadly and highlighting Irish events, associations, and companies worldwide.
In countries where Twitter is not commonly used or available, we encourage the use of appropriate social media. For example our missions in China are about to establish Sina Weibo accounts.
It is my intention that our use of social media continues to expand in a broad and sustainable manner. My Department is finalising a Social Media Policy to guide staff at missions and headquarters on the optimum use of social media platforms to ensure continued best practice online.
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Abu Dhabi |
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Berlin |
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Brussels Permanent Representation to the EU |
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Canberra |
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CG Atlanta |
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CG Boston |
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CG Chicago |
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CG New York |
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CG San Francisco |
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Edinburgh |
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Embassy Brussels |
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Helsinki |
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London |
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Lusaka |
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Madrid |
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Mexico |
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Paris |
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Rome |
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Seoul |
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Stockholm |
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Sydney |
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Tokyo |
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Valletta |
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Vilnius |
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Washington DC |
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New Delhi |
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Sydney |
88. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he expects any officials in his Department, either based in Ireland or elsewhere, to be considered for appointment as an EU ambassador at one of the various European External Action Service diplomatic missions around the world in the near future; if he believes Ireland lost out when the EEAS was established a number of years ago when no Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials were awarded any senior positions within the organisation; the way he and his Department intend to change this in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37395/13]
View answerThe European External Action Service (EEAS) is staffed by officials from the EU Commission, the EU Council Secretariat and diplomats from the EU Member States. The Council Decision which established the EEAS in 2010 stipulated that Member State diplomats should represent at least one third of all staff at Administrator (AD) level. On the whole, there has been good progress made towards achieving this “one third” target, with recent figures indicating that the percentage of EU Member State diplomats working in the Service stands at 32.9%. In terms of Irish representation at the EEAS, there are currently seven officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade serving with the EEAS. This represents 2.36% of the total number of EU diplomats working at the EEAS, which is slightly higher than Ireland’s overall percentage of the EU’s population. In addition, there are 37 Irish nationals working for the EEAS including, at the most senior level, David O’Sullivan, who holds the post of Chief Operating Officer of the Service. An Irish national was also recently appointed to the position of Head of Mission in Rwanda. Member State diplomats are free to apply for published posts, including at the level of Head of Mission. Those officers that meet the criteria for an individual post and are shortlisted based on their experience and expertise, are ultimately interviewed by the EU High Representative for the Foreign and Security Policy. The Department takes all reasonable steps to support the candidacies of Irish applicants for EEAS posts. Officers who are offered positions in the EEAS have been and will continue to be granted special leave for the duration of their assignments.
The Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland is adequately represented in the EEAS and indeed in all EU structures. I can assure the Deputy that this subject is kept under regular review.
89. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the procedures in place for allowing Irish diplomats posted abroad to vote in elections here; if such persons are allowed to vote in general elections, Dáil by-elections, presidential elections, local elections, European Parliament elections and referendums; if such votes are cast in the person's home constituency for all the various forms of elections; if officials from his Department on secondment to international bodies abroad are entitled to vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37406/13]
View answerThe Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is responsible for legislation dealing with the registration of electors and the conduct of elections and referendums. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for voting by post in Irish elections by civil servants serving at Irish embassies, consular offices and permanent missions of Ireland to international organisations and, where relevant, by their accompanying spouses. This facility is provided for the purposes of Presidential, General, European Parliament and Local Elections as well as bye-elections and Constitutional Referenda. Qualifying individuals are deemed to be ordinarily resident in the State and therefore included on the register of electors at the address in Ireland at which they would normally be resident, but for the requirements of their duties. The Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for certifying that an individual is qualified under the Act. Each person completes his/her ballot at the relevant Irish mission abroad before returning it to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin for onward dispatch to the relevant local returning officer in the voter’s constituency. The postal voting provisions of the Electoral Act 1992 do not apply to officials of my Department seconded to international organisations.
90. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on and discuss the outcomes of the most recent General Affairs Council that took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37412/13]
View answerI have previously replied to the Deputy in relation to the GAC held on Tuesday 25 June and no GAC has taken place since then, with that scheduled for Tuesday 23 July having been cancelled. The next GAC is scheduled to take place on Monday 30th September.
91. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the parameters of the discussions held with ministerial colleagues at the informal meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs - Gymnich - in Vilnius, Lithuania on 6 and 7 September 2013; if he will detail any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37415/13]
View answerI attended the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Vilnius (known as the “Gymnich”) on 6-7 September. As this was an informal meeting, there are no council conclusions or formal decisions taken. However, we had some useful discussions on current foreign policy issues, not least the ongoing crisis in Syria. We began with a discussion on Security and Defence issues, which will be considered by the European Council in December. This followed a discussion by Defence Ministers the previous day. Ireland is engaging in these discussions at both official and ministerial level, which are focused on efforts to strengthen EU capabilities to improve the effectiveness, visibility and impact of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. We then went on to consider preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit which will take place in Vilnius on 28-29 November, and which will review progress by the six partner countries (Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Belarus) in the reforms necessary for the conclusion of Association Agreements with the EU. The EU will continue to do all it can to support these countries in the reform process in the lead up to and following the Summit meeting.
We had detailed discussions on Syria , in light of clear indications of the large-scale use of chemical weapons on 21 August. EU Foreign Ministers agreed that the chemical weapons attack in Damascus represents an unacceptable violation of international law and that every effort should be made to prevent further recourse to such weapons; that the United Nations is the appropriate and legitimate forum for addressing these issues; that the Security Council must unite to agree a resolution; that there equally must be accountability for the perpetrators of this atrocity; and that only a political solution can ultimately bring peace to Syria. The EU also undertook to continue its strong support and leading role in international humanitarian relief efforts to assist Syria.
We were joined by US Secretary of State John Kerry for our discussions on Syria and on the Middle East Peace Process . In relation to the latter, Secretary of State Kerry updated EU Foreign Ministers on his successful efforts to re-launch peace negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, and on progress in relation to those talks. I and my EU colleagues, for our part, committed to doing all we can to support the process.
The statement by the EU High Representative following the Gymnich meeting can be accessed at the below link:
h ttp://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2013/130907_01_en.pdf
92. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on Ireland's commitment to spending the internationl target of 0.7% on overseas aid by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37454/13]
View answer100. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that Ireland keeps its promise in budget 2014 to reach the international target of 0.7% of GNI by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37559/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 100 together.
The Government is firmly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme. This commitment was strengthened by the publication earlier this year of our new Policy on International Development, “One World, One Future” which clearly sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world, and our goals and areas of focus for the coming years. It also reaffirms the centrality of the aid programme to our foreign policy.
The new policy clearly restates the commitment in the Programme for Government to achieving the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA) when economic circumstances permit.
Over the past two years, the Government has broadly stabilised the budget for development assistance - a significant achievement in the context of the very difficult conditions facing the country. For 2012 Ireland contributed almost €629 million to ODA, representing 0.47% of GNP. For 2013 we have allocated a total of €622 million to ODA. These represent very significant allocations of public funds and a genuine investment on behalf of the Irish people in assisting those less fortunate than ourselves.
The Estimates process for Budget 2014 is now well under way. The Budget will be framed in the context of the Government’s overall fiscal consolidation strategy. The Departmental budget allocations for 2014 will be a matter for Government decision and will be announced in the Budget Statement.
93. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department provides aid to Egypt; if so, if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of aid that was allocated to Egypt and spent on a year by year basis since 2007 to date; if Ireland contributes indirectly to aid in Egypt through the European Union or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37456/13]
View answerEgypt is not a priority country for the Government’s aid programme, managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, we have provided funding in recent years to organisations working in Egypt on initiatives to promote human rights and good governance. Funding since 2007 has included a total of €500,000 in 2011 and 2012 to support the organisation of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The funding was channelled through the United Nations Development Programme in Egypt. Through the Irish Aid Civil Society Fund, a three-year grant of €150,000 was approved in 2011 for the international organisation, Civicus, for a programme of work in Egypt to strengthen the voices of African civil society at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and at the United Nations Human Rights Council. This work is carried out in partnership with the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies. Just over €15,000 was provided to Frontline Defenders in 2012 to support Egyptian Human Rights defenders.
Through our Embassy in Cairo, we have also provided funding for local NGOs to implement relatively small projects in education, training, health, water and sanitation, micro-enterprise development and democratic governance.
The following table sets out total Irish Aid direct funding for Egypt on an annual basis since 2007:
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Year |
Amount |
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2013 to date |
€106,815 |
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2012 |
€388,203 |
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2011 |
€550,173 |
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2010 |
€89,370 |
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2009 |
€201,981 |
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2008 |
€235,087 |
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2007 |
€257,847 |
Ireland also contributes our share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget, which has provided some €892 million for development programmes in Egypt since 2007, under the European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument.
94. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost of all media advertising to his Department for each of the past five years; the efforts his Department is making to ensure that local media both print and radio are being supported as well as national media by his Department's budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/13]
View answerAdvertising undertaken by my Department relates mainly to notification of changes to passport and consular fees, public office opening hours, and occasional employment, grants, and other matters, including Irish Aid activities, which require communication to a national audience. National print media are considered to be most appropriate for such requirements but there may be occasions when other options may be suitable. This year, my Department undertook a national media campaign to publicise improved passport application procedures providing a better quality service to our customers. My Department’s expenditure on national media advertising from 1st January 2009 to 31st August 2013 is set out in the following table:
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Year |
Total in Euro |
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2009 |
99,761 |
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2010 |
35,056 |
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2011 |
70,339 |
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2012 |
4,772 |
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2013 (to end August) |
22,768 |
95. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of all bodies, boards or committees under the remit of his Department to which ministerial appointments are made; the statutory provision providing for the making of such appointments in each case; the annual allowances or other payments made to the chairperson; the annual allowance or other payment made to an ordinary member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37494/13]
View answer96. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the boards, bodies or committees under the remit of his Department where there is currently a vacancy to be filled by ministerial appointment; if so, if the vacancy relates to the chairperson or an ordinary member or members, specifying the number of vacancies in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37509/13]
View answer97. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the bodies, boards or committees under the remit of his Department where there is anticipated to be a vacancy within the next six months to be filled by ministerial appointment; if so, if the anticipated vacancy relates to the chairperson or an ordinary member or members, specifying the number of anticipated vacancies in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37524/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 to 97, inclusive, together.
My Department has seven bodies, boards or committees under its remit to which I make appointments. These are: the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; the Advisory Group of the Global Irish Network; the Ireland – United States Commission for Educational Exchange (The Fulbright Commission); the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group; the NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights; the Standing Committee on Holocaust Education, Research and Remembrance; and the Monitoring Group on Ireland’s National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.
The primary role of the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) is to provide advice 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. The external members serve in a voluntary capacity.
The members were appointed this year for a two-year term.
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, I established the Advisory Group for the Global Irish Network , which I chair. 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 the 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 which also attend the meetings. The external members act in a voluntary capacity.
The members of the Advisory Group were appointed for two years in March 2012. However, in advance of the next meeting of the Global Irish Economic Forum on 4th and 5th October, it is not possible to determine the number or nature of vacancies that may arise once this term concludes.
There are currently two vacancies on the Board of the Ireland – United States Commission for Educational Exchange (The Fulbright Commission) . Both of these vacancies are for ordinary members of the committee. A call for expressions of interest has been issued on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Commission was established on the basis of the 1991 Educational Exchange (Ireland and the USA) Act and has eight members, four of whom are Irish citizens appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I made three appointments on 14 February 2013 and one position was left unfilled. One member of the board recently resigned their position due to changing circumstances which has resulted in the second vacancy. The members of the Fulbright Commission do not receive any remuneration.
The Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group was established in 2010, following a recommendation in the 2008 Management Review of Irish Aid . Its role is to offer independent expert advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State for Trade and Development on the strategic direction of the aid programme.
The group has seven members, including a Chairperson and an ex-officio member from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. They are appointed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on the basis of experience. The ex-officio member is appointed following a nomination from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. There are currently three vacancies on the group (including the ex-officio position) and a process is already underway for filling these. There are no other anticipated vacancies within the next six months.
Members receive an allowance of €2,000 per year for their work plus expenses. The Chairperson has waived her allowance of €3,000 per year. The ex-officio member does not receive an allowance.
The DFAT NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights is an informal Committee compromising representatives of Irish human rights NGOs and experts who serve in a voluntary capacity, as well as officers of my Department. The purpose of the Committee is to provide a framework for a regular exchange of views between my Department and representatives of the NGO community on human rights issues. The Committee is chaired by the head of my Department's Human Rights Unit. There are no vacancies in the Committee’s membership nor is any anticipated within the next six months. The Committee members are appointed by me and the members are not remunerated.
The DFAT Standing Committee on Holocaust Education, Research and Remembrance is an informal Committee compromising representatives of the Holocaust Education Trust Ireland; the Irish Jewish Museum; the Herzog Centre; and Trinity College Dublin, all of whom serve in a voluntary capacity, and of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Education and Skills; and Justice and Equality. The purpose of the Committee is to provide a mechanism to help coordinate Ireland’s engagement with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) which Ireland joined in 2011. The Committee is chaired by an official of my Department. There are no vacancies in the Committee’s membership nor is any anticipated within the next six months. The Committee members are appointed by me and are not remunerated.
Arising from a commitment in Ireland’s National Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325, in October 2012, I appointed Ms. Liz McManus as independent chair of the Monitoring Group formed to oversee progress on the implementation of the Plan. This position is not remunerated and is not anticipated that it will become vacant in the next six months.
98. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will discuss the outcomes of the emergency Foreign Affairs Council meeting that took place on 21 August 2013 regarding the situation in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37549/13]
View answerThe Foreign Affairs Council met on 21 August 2013 in an extraordinary meeting called in response to the serious violence which had occurred during and following the forcible dispersion of demonstrations on 14 August, and subsequent political turmoil. The general view of the Council, which I supported, was that the EU needed to show clearly that the violence that had occurred was unacceptable, while making it clear that we remained ready and willing to assist Egypt in this difficult and anxious period. The Council adopted Conclusions which set out EU policies in response to recent events in Egypt. The Council stated clearly that the actions of the security forces were disproportionate; it condemned all acts of terrorism and violence; called for an end to violence and for the relaxation of exceptional security measures; urged all parties to engage in dialogue and reconciliation for the restoration of Egyptian democracy; called for the protection of fundamental freedoms for all Egyptians; and agreed to review EU assistance to Egypt. Member States agreed to suspend export licences for equipment which might be used for internal repression, reassess export licences and review security cooperation with Egypt; and reaffirmed the EU’s willingness to support efforts towards an inclusive political dialogue.
99. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria in August 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37551/13]
View answerI have made two public statements on the use of chemical weapons in Syria. On 28 August I issued the following statement: “I repeat my condemnation of the recent gas attacks in Syria. The horrific consequences of the illegal use of these armaments against a civilian population are appalling and an affront to the values of the United Nations. The use of these weapons has rightly been outlawed for almost a century. The deliberate use of chemical weapons against a civilian population is a very serious war crime.
There are growing international concerns that the attacks were probably carried out by the Syrian Government. The evidence the inspectors find on the ground may also be critical in clarifying who was responsible.
The UN Security Council is the appropriate forum for determining the response of the international community. I call on all members of the Security Council to fulfil their responsibilities under the UN Charter to reach agreement on the necessary measures to uphold international law and protect the fundamental rights of the Syrian population. I also reiterate my call for the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court to ensure that those who commit or order war crimes and crimes against humanity are held accountable. I reiterate that only a political solution can bring peace to Syria."
On 14 September I made a further statement:
“I welcome the announcement of the agreement between the US and Russian negotiating teams on the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons. The possession of chemical weapons is fundamentally unacceptable to the international community and their use under any circumstances is a crime under international law. The framework agreed for their elimination represents a significant advance in security in the Middle East, particularly for the security of the Syrian population who have suffered the appalling consequences of their use. Syria's compliance with the terms of this agreement is critical and must be immediately forthcoming. Ireland will support all diplomatic efforts to ensure that Syria fulfils its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the terms of this agreement."
101. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will highlight under the scope available to his Department the recent struggles of Colombian farmers and strikers against oppression by the Colombian authorities, military and Government during a national strike which began on 19 August 2013. [37576/13]
View answerI am aware of the national strike that began in Colombia on 19 August when organisations representing agriculture producers, subsequently joined by other organisations, began a protest movement on a range of grievances relating to policies on trade and state support for various sectors.I am following closely the developments in Colombia, and regret reports of deaths and injuries arising in clashes between protestors and Colombia security forces. It is important that citizens who engage peacefully in the political and social developments of their society can do so without fear of risks to their personal security. It is also, of course, important that all parties operate within the rules of law. The challenging socio-economic conditions faced by some in Colombia are serious. I note that Colombia’s President has acknowledged the validity of some of these concerns and that he has called for the resolution of grievances through dialogue. I understand that some progress has been made in discussions between Government and protestors, with roadblocks being lifted as dialogue is underway. I hope that progress on the issues of concern can continue to be made through peaceful dialogue.
