Wednesday, 26 Nov 2014

Written Answers Nos. 24-28

Climate Change Policy

Questions (24)

Seán Kyne

Question:

24. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role he plays in ensuring that climate justice features in the upcoming legislation on climate change in view of the fact that it will take into account the disproportionate effects which some developing countries have experienced as a result of climate change and aside from the legislation; if other diplomatic efforts are being made to raise and tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45059/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Climate change is already having an enormous effect on the lives and the livelihoods of some of the poorest people in the world. Last year the Government launched our new Policy for International Development, ‘One World, One Future’. It clearly identifies the impact of climate change on development as a priority area for action.

My Department has been working very closely on these issues with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, which has the lead responsibility for Ireland’s climate change response. We will continue to work collaboratively across Government to support the objective of reaching a legally binding international climate agreement at the United Nations Climate Conference, to be held in Paris in 2015.

Through the Government’s overseas aid programme, which is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we have been working to provide assistance for smallholder farmers and poor communities to adapt to the changing environmental context. Through our support for agricultural research which directly addresses poverty we are assisting farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere in the developing world to become more sustainable through enhanced farm methods and improved seed varieties. We are scaling up our assistance to agriculture in a way that delivers on inter-related hunger and climate objectives. This includes support for climate smart agriculture, agro-forestry, crop diversification and the development and promotion of drought resistant crop and livestock varieties. I emphasised the priority we attach to this work when I co-hosted the major Zero Hunger international meeting at the United Nations in September.

The increasing impact of uncertain weather patterns and the increasing number of severe weather events has a devastating effect on some of the poorest communities where Irish Aid is working. We are supporting programmes to prepare for and reduce the risk of disasters. We are also helping developing countries to plan for climate adaptation nationally and supporting their engagement with the international climate change negotiations. This will remain a priority area of work for my Department.

Trade Agreements

Questions (25)

Brendan Smith

Question:

25. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and Colombia; his further views on the continuous human rights abuses in Colombia; if he has sought to raise these abuses with his colleagues in the EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44993/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The EU Free Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru signed in Brussels on 26 June 2012 aims to promote growth and jobs and to increase the global competitiveness of the European Union, Colombia and Peru. Its economic provisions are intended to encourage trade by eliminating tariffs and obstacles and improving market access generally.

The Agreement’s human rights provisions are essential elements that, together with the sustainable development chapter, provide the EU with an important means to encourage positive social reforms and greater protection of human rights. Ireland strongly promoted the inclusion of the human rights provisions, and these, together with the sustainable development aspects, have been developed further by the elaboration by the Colombian side, at the request of the European Parliament, of ‘roadmaps’ on human, labour and environmental rights.

The serious situation that prevails with regard to many human rights issues in Colombia is a matter of ongoing concern, both to Ireland and to the EU as a whole. The Deputy will be aware of the long-standing conflict that has plagued Colombia and of the terrorism and criminality that have accompanied it. While respect for human rights requires considerable improvement, there are nonetheless grounds for believing that the situation is improving in overall terms.

In relation to Colombia, as elsewhere, Ireland works to support positive developments and promotes the progressive improvement of human rights standards. Our Embassy in Mexico City is accredited to Bogotá on a non-residential basis and the Ambassador and officers visit Colombia regularly. In addition to our bilateral contacts on human rights issues with the government and with civil society, we participate in a range of dialogue mechanisms at EU level and at the UN.

I believe that the policy of engagement, dialogue and scrutiny which the EU has pursued since the launch of the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement is the best way to promote human rights and the interests of labour in Colombia. At the most recent session of the EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue, on 24th October this year, for instance, the EU engaged with the Colombian government across the full range of human rights issues, including as regards human rights defenders and trade unionists that are a particular priority for Ireland.

The EU’s efforts to advance human rights in Colombia are reflected also in its support for the current peace process involving the government and the guerrilla forces. I share the view that this process offers the potential for a major improvement in the overall human rights situation and I hope for a speedy resumption of the talks.

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

Questions (26)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

26. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way he plans to bring Ireland closer to the 0.7% commitment to overseas development aid, especially in view of the current and further discussion-decision on the post-millennium development goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44976/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland is very actively engaged at the United Nations in the negotiations for a new set of Sustainable Development Goals which will steer the development agenda beyond the year 2015. These goals will build on the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. We are determined that they will include a clear commitment to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by 2030.

The Government’s policy on International Development, “One World, One Future”, provides the framework for our engagement on development at UN level. It reaffirms our commitment to achieving the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA), when economic circumstances permit.

In the context of the very difficult economic circumstances facing the country, the Government has successfully managed to stabilise allocations to Ireland’s aid programme. For Budget 2015, we were again determined to protect the aid programme, and we have provided a total allocation of just over €600 million for next year. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to the aid programme and represents a very significant and generous contribution on behalf of the people of Ireland to assist those less fortunate than ourselves. I will set out the case for building further on this commitment over the coming year.

Our priority now is to ensure we continue to focus this significant level of public funding on tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice, strengthening our key partner countries ability to deliver essential services to their citizens, and delivering real and sustainable improvements to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people and communities.

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Questions (27)

Brendan Smith

Question:

27. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on Irish humanitarian aid efforts in Syria; his position with regard to the continuous threat posed by ISIS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44991/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The scale and severity of the crisis in Syria and the surrounding region requires a sustained response from the international community. Ireland is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis. At the Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria and the region held in Kuwait last January, Ireland pledged to provide €12 million in humanitarian assistance over the course of 2014. Given the scale of the crisis, we have already exceeded this pledge by €2 million. Since 2011, Ireland has provided over €28 million in humanitarian support to Syria, delivered through UN partners and NGOs. In addition we have provided €1.15 million in funding to our partner organisations responding to the crisis in neighbouring Iraq.

Ireland has consistently matched our material humanitarian contribution with concrete support to international efforts led by the UN to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis, and to advocate for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, as well as for respect by all parties of International Humanitarian Law. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, Ireland will continue to advocate for a comprehensive regional response and increased support to host countries which is crucial to defuse the growing tension between host and refugee communities that could further exacerbate and extend this already entrenched and complicated conflict. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, Ireland will continue to provide assistance within our means as the situation evolves.

There can be no complacency about the threat which ISIS and other extremists represent or about the need for urgent international action to confront this threat to us all. This requires a wide range of actions including security responses to deny ISIS the freedom to attack civilians, action by the new Iraqi Government to promote inclusivity and ensure real Sunni representation within Iraq’s political system and Government, as well as achieving a political resolution to the Syrian conflict. Humanitarian relief is also a critical component of the response to mass displacement of civilians fleeing the threat from ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq.

UN Security Council Resolutions 2170 and 2178 adopted in recent weeks require all UN Member States to implement comprehensive measures to address the threat of terrorism including through such measures as taking active steps to prevent travel by persons suspected of planning or intending to participate in terrorist acts; cooperation in exchanging information on actions and movement by terrorists; prevention of recruitment and radicalisation of possible members of such groups, including through community outreach initiatives, and denying financial transfers to terrorist groups; and supporting the provision of bilateral assistance to States in developing national capacities to respond to foreign terrorist fighters.

Ireland will continue to support all international efforts, including by the EU and UN, to promote a political resolution of the current conflict in both Syria and Iraq. We will also continue to address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and provide urgent assistance and support to the civilian populations within Syria and Iraq who have been displaced or suffered violations of their rights at the hands of ISIS and other extremists.

Ukrainian Conflict

Questions (28)

Seán Crowe

Question:

28. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, the faltering official ceasefire and the continued build-up of military hardware and personnel in the region. [44966/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am deeply concerned by the significant deterioration in the security situation in the east of the country. Of particular concern is the sharp escalation of hostilities in recent weeks and reports of large movements of tanks, artillery and troops from across the Russian border into rebel held areas, which have threatened progress towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

I participated in the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 November, where Ministers had a comprehensive discussion on the situation in Ukraine and the way forward. The Council reiterated the urgent need for all sides to swiftly and fully implement the Minsk agreements and, once again, underlined the responsibility of the Russian Federation in this regard. We called for an immediate halt to the continuous violations of the ceasefire, a withdrawal of all foreign forces and military equipment from Ukraine, as well as a securing of the border between Ukraine and Russia with permanent monitoring by the OSCE.

It is clear that a lasting ceasefire remains central to the success of current efforts to reach a sustainable political solution, based on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In light of the deteriorating security situation in eastern Ukraine and the holding of so-called “parliamentary and presidential elections” in Luhansk and Donetsk on 2 November which the EU considers illegal, the Council decided to ask the European External Action Service and the European Commission to present a proposal for additional listings under Phase II sanctions, targeting separatists. A decision will be taken on this proposal at the end of the month.

Together with my EU partners, I also underlined the clear need for intensified talks in the framework of the OSCE Trilateral Contact Group. In this regard, I would like to highlight the vital contribution that the OSCE has made to date in helping to broker the ceasefire agreement and to monitor its implementation in a challenging and sometimes hostile environment. Our continued support for their important work is needed.

In welcoming the parliamentary elections that took place in Ukraine on 26 October, Ministers looked forward to the urgent formation of a new Government. I believe that it is important that Ukraine seize the mandate for reform given by the Ukrainian people and take the opportunity for outreach, national dialogue and reconciliation. I am convinced that sustainable and real progress in the reform programme must be an integral part of the strategy to overcome the current crisis.