Terence Flanagan
Question:608. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's priorities for the remainder of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29586/15]
View answerThursday, 16 July 2015
Questions (608)
Written answers
The mission of my Department is to serve the Irish people, to promote their values and advance their prosperity abroad, and to provide the Government with the capabilities, analysis and influence to ensure that Ireland derives the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement. My Department’s Statement of Strategy for 2015-2017 outlines how we intend to achieve our high level goals in the coming years. These goals are rooted in the priority areas set out in Government’s recent policy review ‘The Global Island, Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World’. Our five goals and the related priorities are outlined as follows.
To serve our people at home and abroad and to promote reconciliation and cooperation
The further development of the all-island economy and strong support for political stability in Northern Ireland is a major priority for this Government. We will continue to advance the reconciliation agenda and economic renewal on the island of Ireland including through the ongoing implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. The Government will continue to play our role in the collective effort required to deliver the implementation of the Agreement as a whole.
I, through my Department, am also committed to the provision of high quality services to Irish citizens travelling abroad.
I recently launched the Ireland 2016 Global and Diaspora Programme – one of the seven strands of the Ireland 2016 Programme - which will see an ambitious programme of events take place around the world next year to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. My Department and the Embassy network will continue to develop and deliver this Programme in the months ahead, together with our many partner organisations. My Department will also contribute to the development of events to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme next year, which is also an important occasion for many on the island of Ireland.
To work for a fairer, more just, secure and sustainable world
I am deeply conscious of Ireland’s proud tradition in international affairs as a country which seeks to promote and share its values. I am determined to ensure that we seek at every opportunity, to make a direct and significant contribution to the promotion of human rights, global peace and stability, most notably through our membership of the UN and our support for its peacekeeping operations, recognising that it is through the realisation of human rights, peace and stability that the root causes of crises such as the current migrant crisis in the Mediterranean can most effectively be addressed.
We will also remain actively engaged in promoting a more active EU role in relation to the Middle East Peace Process and in sustaining the viability of a negotiated, two-State solution.
Ireland continues to be a world leader in effectively tackling hunger and poverty and assisting the world’s poorest communities to survive and thrive. A major immediate priority in this area is Ireland’s role as co-facilitator of the final phase of negotiations on a new global development agenda to succeed the Millennium Development Goals.
To advance Ireland’s prosperity by promoting our economic interests internationally
The advancement of Ireland’s trade, tourism, investment and education promotion objectives is a central priority for my Department. The Embassy network will continue to play a crucial role in proactively addressing market access issues, supporting Irish businesses seeking to grow overseas, holding promotional events for, and in association with, State agencies and actively contributing to the organisation and conduct of Enterprise Ireland Ministerial-led trade missions and events overseas. While the majority of Irish services and merchandise exports go to Europe and the US and we must continue to cultivate these markets, the Government is strongly focused on the further development of trading partnerships with other important emerging markets.
My Department will also continue to ensure that the Embassy network is best equipped to promote and protect Ireland’s economic interests in its contacts with other Governments, including in multilateral fora, as well as in its engagements with the business community and overseas media. The Fourth Global Irish Economic Forum which my Department will organise in November 2015 will play an important role in delivering these objectives.
To protect and advance Ireland’s values and interests in Europe
Engagement with our EU partners and the broader region will remain a priority for promoting and protecting our interests. Ireland will continue to be a strong supporter of the EU Enlargement policy, which is one of the Union’s most powerful tools in pursuing our strategic objective of promoting peace, stability, democracy and prosperity throughout Europe. The crisis in Ukraine, coupled with the profound implications for the EU’s relations with Russia, will remain an important priority on the international agenda for some time. My visit to Kiev on 16-17 July is an opportunity to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine and to hear first-hand about the scale of the challenges it faces.
To strengthen our influence and our capacity to deliver our goals
Irish diplomacy has built a reputation for professionalism, integrity and effectiveness over many years. My Department will continue to work to extend Ireland’s international influence overseas while improving our capacity for delivery at home including though the Civil Service Renewal process.