Written Answers Nos. 336-357
336. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that have been taken by the European Union to address the ongoing situation in Turkey which has resulted in a shutdown of the media and the arrest of thousands of persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25720/17]
View answerSince the attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016, the EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have continued to monitor developments, and have repeated our serious concerns about democracy, human rights, rule of law and freedom of expression, including media freedom. The ongoing negative developments in Turkey, particularly in light of the referendum passed by a narrow majority on 16 April, were most recently discussed in detail at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) on 28 April, which I attended.
Foreign Ministers agreed that the long-term future of all the citizens of Turkey is at the heart of the EU-Turkey relationship. In that context, the accession process with Turkey would not be ‘suspended or ended’: if Turkey is interested in proceeding, the criteria, including on core EU values, are clear and Turkey knows what it has to do.
While the EU acknowledges that Turkey has a right to decide its own governance, it has called for investigations into alleged irregularities in the conduct of the referendum as highlighted by both the Council of Europe and the OSCE. The EU will continue to work closely with the Council of Europe in encouraging frank, open and serious discussions with Turkey.
On 25 May, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Council, Donald Tusk met President Erdogan in Brussels. They reiterated the EU’s concern at the situation in Turkey in relation to recent developments.
Ireland agrees with the EU’s approach - it aligns completely with our own views about the future of the relationship with Turkey.
I have previously expressed my concern at the number of dismissals and detentions in Turkey, and I repeat that it is critically important that the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial are respected. The ongoing media crackdown has resulted in the closure of over 170 media outlets, the arrest and detention of over 150 journalists, and the blocking or slowing down of social media accounts and websites e. g. Wikipedia. My concerns about the restrictions on freedom of media expression have not abated since the referendum.
The relationship with Turkey will remain on the EU agenda, and I will continue to raise my concerns about democracy, rule of law, human rights and freedom of expression, including media expression at every appropriate opportunity.
337. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the current system in which voting on membership of certain bodies takes place in secret which was highlighted by the recent controversy surrounding the election of Saudi Arabia to the UN Commission on the Status of Women in view of his Department's role in UN human rights bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25825/17]
View answerThe policy positions which Ireland takes at the UN are a matter of public record as voting on resolutions takes place in public. However, voting on membership of UN bodies involves expressing preferences between Member States or between individual candidates nominated by Member States. This can have implications which go beyond a particular election and the policy issues addressed by these bodies. Accordingly, since 1947, the rules of procedure governing UN General Assembly elections provide that UN elections take place by secret ballot.
These rules of procedure were established to facilitate the management of sensitive international relations between countries of different views and political backgrounds. This approach also ensures that all states – especially smaller states – can cast their votes without undue pressure from larger and more influential states that might result from votes being made public.
The convention that votes in UN elections are not publicly disclosed is also well-established among the 193 Member States, as to do so could seriously damage bilateral relations between States. Ireland joined the UN in 1955 and successive Irish governments have abided by its rules and conventions in the 62 years since then.
As the Deputy is aware, in general for elections the Member States are divided into regional groupings and the practice is to allocate a certain number of positions on each committee to each regional group. Regional groups often agree the candidate countries for the seats allocated to them in advance. For example, for the recent election to the Commission on the Status of Women, the 55 States in the Asia-Pacific grouping agreed five candidate countries for five seats for their grouping on the 45 member Commission; these were Iraq, Japan, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan. Elections to the Commission took place on 19 April and the Commission will have its next annual session in March 2018. It will meet for a period of several weeks, and then publish non-binding conclusions that Member States are expected to have regard to.
338. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Question No. 267 of 28 March 2017, if he has raised the issue of China's classification of all Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK, citizens fleeing the regime and entering illegally into China as economic migrants at the UN level or bilaterally with China, in view of the fact that this classification prevents the UNHCR from carrying out its work in determining the status of DPRK citizens as refugees and results in many DPRK citizens being sent back to a regime in which they face grave danger in violation of China's obligations of non-refoulement under the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25826/17]
View answerFurther to parliamentary question number 267 of 28 March 2017, I have not raised the issue in question at the UN level or bilaterally with China. Nonetheless, I remain concerned about reports of cases of DPRK refugees and asylum seekers being arrested in China and facing refoulement to the DPRK. I would urge the Chinese authorities to ensure that they do their upmost to meet their international and humanitarian obligations in this regard.
As outlined in parliamentary question number 267 of 28 March 2017, the EU raises the issue of non-refoulement of refugees from North Korea with China regularly and through a number of fora. Specifically, the issue is raised in the context of the annual Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and China. The last session of this dialogue took place in November 2015. The next session is scheduled to take place shortly. The issue of North Korean refugees has been raised in this dialogue since the inception of the dialogue in 1995. The issue is also raised with China by the EU, where appropriate, in other meetings at both working level and at political level including at the annual EU-China Summit and EU-China High-level Strategic Dialogue.
339. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider an official boycott of goods from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories in view of the UN position that these ongoing settlements constitute a flagrant violation of international law and a serious obstacle to peace in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25827/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy also to my reply today to Question 94 on trade with Israel.
In relation to illegal Israeli settlements, I agree that these are deeply damaging to the prospects of a peace agreement, and are tending – intentionally – to make a two state solution impossible.
I have consistently argued for stronger international action on settlements, and Ireland has been instrumental in achieving a number of EU actions on settlements in recent years, clearly differentiating EU policies on settlements from our relationship with Israel.
These have included guidelines on labelling of settlement goods, exclusion of settlements from EU research funding, refusal of Israeli health certification for meat from settlements, and advice against investing in settlements.
Other measures remain under discussion, but there is not as yet agreement on further actions.
I would be open to consideration of excluding settlement products entirely from the EU market, but it is clear that at present any such proposal would have no chance of reaching agreement.
340. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the imminent closure of three Elliniko refugee camps in Greece; if his Department is playing a role in the resettlement of the camps' inhabitants, in particular unaccompanied minors; if his Department has a presence on the ground in these camps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25828/17]
View answerI am aware that the Elliniko migrant facility based in the former Athens international airport is being closed. The site was unsuitable as a longer-term facility and the Greek government decided to move the residents to other locations in the Attica region. The closure is part of the Greek government's plan to close substandard camps and to upgrade better functioning facilities. This is solely a function of the Greek government and is their decision. Ireland has no presence on the ground in the camps.
Ireland is offering practical solidarity to Greece through the EU relocation programme which we voluntarily opted into in 2015. As part of this programme, Ireland has now taken in 459 asylum seekers from Greece and that number will increase in the coming weeks and months.
In respect of unaccompanied minors, it should be noted that under the Greek definition - which is broader than the Irish definition - Ireland has to date taken in 22 unaccompanied minors from Greece. Of course, the cohort of asylum seekers which Ireland is taking from Greece already includes large numbers of young children. Officials from the Department of Justice and Equality located in the Irish Embassy in Athens already work closely with both officials from the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, other Government Departments and agencies, an Garda Síochána as well as colleagues in the Greek Asylum Service, the International Organisation for Migration and other bodies, in order to make the relocation programme in Greece a success.
Ireland has agreed to take 1,089 asylum seekers from Greece by September 2017 and, in close cooperation with Greek colleagues and a range of other actors, is well on target to process these numbers within that deadline.
341. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to UNICEF's recent finding of a 500% rise in unaccompanied and separated child refugees since 2010-11 and the increasing dangers posed by traffickers; the steps he is taking to address the deteriorating situation for unaccompanied refugee children trying to reach Europe and Ireland in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25829/17]
View answerUNICEF has recently presented a global snapshot of the plight of refugee and migrant children. I share the grave concern at the truly alarming numbers of children moving alone worldwide, many of whom are forced to take highly dangerous routes to reach their destinations, and are often at the mercy of smugglers and traffickers.
Ireland has a strong partnership with UNICEF and we support its work in development and humanitarian aid. Last year, Ireland was among UNICEF’s top twenty international donors. Our support enables UNICEF to carry out its valuable work on the ground to respond to the needs of children in the current refugee crisis. UNICEF is also working to deliver humanitarian services wherever needed on refugee routes, including providing water and food and increasingly psychosocial support. Ireland is currently a member of UNICEF’s governing board and we are using this opportunity to ensure that the Fund continues to focus on the needs of children who are forced from their homes.
Ireland also provides core funding to UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) so that it can deliver on its critical role in child protection.
Last year concerted work at the UN, co-facilitated by Ireland, led to a UN agreement in September to negotiate a more humane response to the current refugee and migration crisis. Currently UNHCR is leading efforts to finalise a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework which recognises unaccompanied children and children separated from their families as refugees with special protection concerns. The importance of respecting and protecting the human rights of migrant and asylum-seeking children, including unaccompanied minors, remains a priority for Ireland in this process.
At the EU level, the core intention of the EU- Turkey Agreement agreed in March 2016, is to break the business model of the people smugglers who are profiting from the suffering of the vulnerable including children. Ireland is contributing a total of almost €23 million to the Facility established to support that Agreement, between 2016 and 2019.
Similarly, the €3 million which we will provide between 2016 and 2020 for the EU’s Emergency Trust Fund on the Root Causes of Irregular Migration in Africa, is aimed at meeting immediate needs and at enabling longer-term development so that children will not be forced out of their homes because of the absence of economic opportunities.
342. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider sending officials from his Department to assist, in the first instance, and to promote Ireland as a favourable destination for refugees and unaccompanied minors in particular, in view of the reports that fast-track migrant centres in Greece and Italy are overwhelmed; the details of discussions he has had to this effect with his counterparts in the Department of Justice and Equality, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25830/17]
View answerIreland chose to voluntarily Opt In to EU arrangements to relocate migrants from Greece and Italy and accept up to 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers both on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of solidarity with our partners in the EU. For administrative and other reasons, progress in receiving migrants has been slower than anticipated, as it has in many other EU member states. However, in recent months the pace has accelerated. We have now taken in 779 persons on resettlement, and 459 persons under relocation, and this includes some 600 children. These figures are expected to increase in the coming weeks and months.
The Deputy will be aware that operational matters relating to refugees and unaccompanied minors coming to Ireland through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) are matters for my colleagues the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, who chairs the IRPP, and, in respect of unaccompanied minors being cared for in this jurisdiction, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
343. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the chemical attacks on civilians in Syria shows the need for a greater effort by Ireland in taking in refugees from the region fleeing this war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25836/17]
View answerI was horrified by news of the chemical attack against civilians at Khan Sheikhoun in April. At that time, I unreservedly condemned the attack, which killed over 80 people and injured many more, including children and babies.
The attack further underlines the need for accountability and a genuine political transition in Syria. The search for a sustainable peaceful resolution to the conflict, and, as part of that, ensuring full legal accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria, is an international priority for Ireland.
In December of last year Ireland co-sponsored UN Resolution 71/248 which included a decision to establish an “International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011”. Earlier this month, I announced an initial contribution to the Mechanism of €100,000.
The question relating to the reception of refugees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
344. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which his Department continues to pursue trade and market opportunities throughout the European Union and beyond with a view to compensating for losses arising from Brexit or other geopolitical activities or development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25984/17]
View answer350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which his Department continues to pursue market opportunities for products globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25990/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 350 together.
My Department, in collaboration with other Government Departments and State Agencies, works to support Irish businesses identify new opportunities for their products and services by diversifying into new markets as well as intensifying efforts in existing markets.
The Government’s new trade and investment strategy, Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World , sets out our priorities in this regard and the actions to achieve them.
Under the strategy, we are committed to intensifying the number, focus, alignment, and market reach of trade and investment missions and events in 2017, in order to deepen existing relationships, open new doors to trade and investment, and forge new opportunities.
Our 80 strong network of Embassies and Consulates are playing a crucial role in delivering on this commitment and over the initial months of this year have been actively working with State Agencies, including through the Local Market Team structure in priority markets, to deliver a number of very successful trade visits and events, including over the Saint Patrick’s Day period.
These high level missions and events complement the ongoing year-round work of our Embassy network and agencies in-market, including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, and Tourism Ireland, in promoting awareness of and confidence in Ireland as a place to invest, study, research, visit, live and do business.
In addition, a network of commercial attachés and economic development officers has recently been put in place by my Department in a select number of Missions (Jakarta, Mexico, Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Abuja, Nairobi and Bucharest) to offer support and facilitation in local markets to agencies and Irish companies. An additional post will soon be created in Hanoi.
My Department will continue to work closely with other Government Departments and State Agencies to deliver on the ambition of the new trade strategy, intensifying efforts to help Irish business trade more into Europe and across the world in response to global challenges.
The Export Trade Council, which I chair, brings together Ministers and heads of agencies with a focus on Ireland’s trade and investment and plays an important role in ensuring our coherence on these issues.
The Council is supported in its work by the International Trade Coordination Group (ITCG) a whole-of-Government group involving all Department and Agencies with a trade function. The ITCG meets once a month at senior official level and is chaired by the Trade Division of my Department.
We have also overhauled the system of budget support to all Missions so that they are better placed to further our High Level Goals, including Prosperity and the overall aim of promoting Ireland’s global visibility.
345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which, in the context of the White Paper on EU reform, the issues most likely to affect Ireland and the European Union in its entirety have so far emerged; his plans to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25985/17]
View answerOn 1 March the European Commission published a White Paper on the Future of Europe. As well as setting out the main achievements of the EU over the past six decades, the White Paper addresses the challenges that Europe is facing and presents five scenarios for how the Union could evolve by 2025, depending on how it chooses to respond.
The White Paper is presented as the start of the process, not the end, with the intention of starting a wide-ranging debate between the Governments and peoples of Europe on where our common future lies and what degree of ambition we hold.
I welcome the publication of the White Paper which contains much valuable food for thought both about the international context as it is now and may develop over the coming decade. The White Paper takes an open and non-prescriptive approach and is presented as an initial contribution to a Europe-wide discussion and debate. This open, inclusive and transparent approach is welcome and is in keeping with the need to renew the EU's contract with its citizens. The Commission is in the process of publishing a series of accompanying reflection papers on a range of diverse topics which will also contribute to the Europe-wide discussions that this White Paper seeks to initiate. Those papers address five distinct issues -
- developing the social dimension of Europe;
- deepening the Economic and Monetary Union;
- harnessing globalisation;
- the future of Europe's defence;
- the future of EU finances.
Like the White Paper, the reflection papers will offer different ideas, proposals, options or scenarios for Europe in 2025 without presenting definitive decisions at this stage.
The Commission intends to lead a public engagement strategy to discuss and debate the future of Europe in all member States. On a national basis, the Government and the Oireachtas should of course facilitate and encourage a wide ranging and full engagement by Ireland in this important debate about the future of Europe that reflects the very high levels of support that the Irish people give to our EU membership. My Department is currently examining a number of options for encouraging that debate.
346. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU expects to be in a position to respond to the issue of refugees, including those crossing the Mediterranean by boat; the extent to which all EU countries are likely to support measures to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25986/17]
View answer348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the improved proposals the EU may have to cater for an influx of refugees during the summer; if a unified approach might emerge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25988/17]
View answer353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if new initiatives are required and agreed to deal with the refugee situation in Europe, with particular reference to attempting to achieve a Europe-wide approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25994/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346, 348 and 353 together.
Migration has been close to the top of the EU agenda since the current crisis emerged a little over two years ago. It has featured on the agenda of almost every European Council over the period, as well on the agenda of many Foreign Affairs and JHA Councils. The migration crisis will again be discussed by EU Heads of State and Government at their June European Council meeting.
The EU has responded to the crisis by adopting a range of measures to deal with this mass movement of people. These have included engaging with countries of origin and transit to address the root causes of migration including through bespoke Migration Compacts; agreeing a plan to relocate migrants from Italy and Greece across the Union; the launching of Operation Sophia to disrupt people smuggling in the Mediterranean; and substantial financial assistance to countries hosting large numbers of migrants. EU Heads of State and Government concluded a landmark migration deal with Turkey in March 2016, which has resulted in a very substantial reduction in the number of migrants risking their lives at sea to enter the EU from Turkey.
In the past year the focus has shifted from Turkey to the so-called Central Mediterranean Route, with some 181,000 migrants crossing from Libya to Italy in 2016. In March 2017, EU leaders issued the Malta Declaration, which sets out the EU’s commitment to assist Libya, with a strong focus on capacity building. This includes training, equipment and support for the Libyan national coast guard and other relevant agencies, as well as seeking to ensure adequate reception capacities and conditions in Libya for migrants, including through working with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration. Last month the EU announced a €90m programme to improve the protection of migrants and reinforce migration management in Libya. This is in addition to the €120 million already announced for migration-related support for Libya.
Responses to the migration crisis have varied from one EU member state to the other with some states admitting large numbers of migrants while others have resisted admitting any. Ireland chose to voluntarily Opt In to EU arrangements to relocate migrants from Greece and Italy and accept up to 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers both on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of solidarity with our partners in the EU. For administrative and other reasons, progress in taking in migrants has been slower than anticipated, as it has in many other EU member states. However, in recent months the pace has accelerated. We have now taken in 779 on resettlement (mainly Syrian asylum seekers from Lebanon) and 459 under relocation and those figures are expected to increase in the coming weeks and months.
The migration crisis is being driven variously by war, political instability, corruption, economic deprivation and human rights abuses. These need to be addressed in a holistic and strategic way incorporating immediate and long-term measures, both of which are part of the EU’s ongoing migration strategy.
347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he expects to be in a position to defend the cause of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the Brexit discussions, having particular regard to ensuring that the island of Ireland is not disadvantaged by Britain's withdrawal from the EU; if it is recognised that the Single Market and customs union are necessary vehicles to ensure unimpeded trade with the EU and access to UK markets via the European Union, with specific reciprocal arrangements for the UK to and through the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25987/17]
View answerThe Government has been clear since the outset that its key priorities for the Brexit negotiations included minimising the impact on trade and the economy and protecting the Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement. Economic prosperity is an integral part of deepening peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. The achievements of peace and the operation of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement have greatly facilitated progress in developing an all-island economy.
A central goal of the extensive engagement that I and my Government colleagues have undertaken in the eleven months since the referendum in the UK has been to ensure Ireland’s unique concerns in relation to Brexit are understood by our EU partners and to seek explicit recognition of these issues and priorities in the EU’s position for the withdrawal negotiations. The Government has laid particular emphasis on the political imperative of achieving flexible and imaginative solutions in relation to the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, in particular with a view to avoiding a hard border. In so doing, we have been equally clear that we will only pursue solutions that are compatible with our aim of protecting the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it.
This extensive political, diplomatic, and official campaign has been effective. This was reflected most recently in the clear statement of support given by Michel Barnier when he said that Ireland’s interests in the upcoming negotiations will be the EU’s interests. Even more importantly, this has been demonstrated in practice through the strong acknowledgement of Ireland’s issues in the European Council Guidelines, the detailed negotiating Directives and the European Parliament’s resolution on Brexit.
We have already taken important steps to prepare our economy, including in Budget 2017, the Action Plan for Jobs 2017, and our New Trade and Investment Strategy. Now that the EU’s initial negotiating position is clear, the Government will intensify its focus on the economic implications of Brexit. In order to underpin this, building on the recent Government strategy document released on 2 May, a further paper on the economic implications of the Brexit challenge is being developed.
Ireland’s economic interests lie firmly in a strong and well-functioning EU with continued and unfettered access to the Single Market. In terms of Brexit, the Government is working to minimise any negative impact on our economy and to provide clarity and certainty for our businesses that are trading with the UK. To this end, the Government’s consistent position is that we wish to see the closest possible trading relationship based on a level playing field between the UK and the EU, including Ireland.
I hope that we can see substantial progress in the initial phase of the negotiations so that we can start talks on the framework for the future relationship between the UK and the EU as early as possible.
349. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether Ireland can improve its trade with various African countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25989/17]
View answerWhile Irish economic activity with countries in Africa remains relatively low as a proportion of our overall global economic activity, the potential for enhancing the trade relationship is strong. GDP growth in Africa has remained resilient, with the African Development Bank estimating growth of 4.7% in 2017. Medium-term prospects for economic development on the continent are also positive.
Our trade promotion activities in Africa are guided by the Department’s Africa Strategy, launched in 2011. Ireland Connected, the trade and investment strategy published in March of this year, mandates the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other relevant Departments and agencies to ‘deliver focused events and activities to support a deepened economic engagement with Africa, building on the approach identified in the Africa Strategy’.
Ireland has 11 Embassies in Africa, each of which includes trade promotion as a core element of its role. The Embassies provide support and advice to Irish companies seeking to explore economic opportunities available in their countries of accreditation, and promote Ireland to potential investors as an attractive location in which to do business. Working with local Irish business groups, the Embassies in South Africa and Kenya have also produced accessible guides to doing business in Africa.
A range of initiatives have also been undertaken by the Department in Ireland, to complement the work of the Embassies, and to increase awareness of the opportunities available to Irish companies in Africa. These include the Africa Ireland Economic Forum, which brings together business and policy makers from Ireland and Africa to discuss opportunities for enhanced trade and investment, and the Winning Business in Africa initiative, which highlights tendering opportunities for Irish companies under the European Development Fund. Last year, the local Irish chapter of the Business Ireland Africa network was launched, with the support of the Department.
The Department will continue to work with all relevant state agencies, in line with the Team Ireland approach of the Ireland Connected strategy, as well as with partners in the private sector, to support and enhance Ireland’s economic and trade links with Africa.
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which countries in the western Balkans continue to work towards EU membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25992/17]
View answerThe stability of the countries of the Western Balkans continues to be a priority for the European Union. At the European Council on 9 March the Heads of State and Government, including the Taoiseach, reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the European perspective of the region. Promoting good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation is a key focus of EU efforts in the Western Balkans, and will be the focus of the forthcoming Trieste summit (12 July).
As part of the preparations for the Trieste summit, HRVP Mogherini hosted the six Prime Ministers of the Western Balkans in Brussels on 24 May, when they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working towards European Union integration and to bringing about tangible benefits for the lives of the citizens of the region.
Ireland is a strong supporter of enlargement, viewing it as a transformative driver for stability and peace, and supports all efforts to enhance regional relationships and institutional reform.
352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which aid continues to be directed towards those for whom it was intended in all areas throughout the globe, with particular reference to the continent of Africa. [25993/17]
View answer354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will identify the most vulnerable locations globally to which aid continues to be directed; the success or otherwise of such operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25995/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 354 together.
I am deeply aware of the need to ensure that Ireland’s aid continues to target the most vulnerable and reaches those for whom it is intended, thereby making a real difference to the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people.
The Government’s Policy for International Development, One World, One Future reflects this commitment to work in support of lasting benefits to those most in need across the globe. A strong focus on Sub-Sahara Africa continues to be central to Ireland’s aid programme. Successive Peer Reviews of our aid programme by the OECD, including the most recent in 2014, have highlighted Ireland’s efforts to benefit the poorest countries in the world.
Approximately 25% of Ireland’s official aid is spent on humanitarian response. In order to ensure that our humanitarian response is focused on areas of greatest need, we use a Country Categorisation of Needs method which ranks crises according to risk and needs. Category 1 countries are classed as those with greatest needs. All humanitarian funding decisions are informed by this method.
As an example of how we apply this tool, all countries in the Horn of Africa region currently fall within Categories 1 and 2 and as a result, Ireland provides substantial humanitarian assistance to South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Assistance to the region has totaled €120 million in since 2012, including €17 million to date in 2017.
In addition, significant resources are committed to vulnerable and crisis affected communities in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Forgotten crises, such as in Chad, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are also prioritised for support.
High standards of accountability are continually maintained to ensure that aid reaches its intended beneficiaries. All funding proposals are rigorously appraised by officials from my Department against clear criteria, including effectiveness and efficiency, the capacity of implementing organisations to deliver results, and account for resources received. Programmes in receipt of funding are subject to regular monitoring to ensure intended results are being achieved and resources have been used appropriately.
Robust accountability systems in partner countries are essential to ensuring that assistance is appropriately targeted to reach the poorest and most vulnerable beneficiaries. Ireland also strongly supports the strengthening of these national systems in partner countries.
Full details of the distribution of our aid, and the results achieved, are published each year in our Annual Report. The latest Annual Report 2015 is available at www.irishaid.ie.
355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU and UN colleagues continue to address the threat of international terrorism; if particular initiatives are likely with a view to protecting peaceful citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25996/17]
View answerThe issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism, evident once again in the horrific attack in Manchester last week, but also in the recent attacks in London, Stockholm, Paris and Egypt, has been and remains high on the EU agenda.
Foreign Ministers remain focused on implementation of the Council Conclusions on Counter-terrorism agreed in February 2015 and on the contribution that the EU can make through external action to preventing and countering terrorism. Engagement with third countries to prevent violent extremism and to strengthen their capacity to detect and prevent terrorism, in full compliance with international law and human rights, is at the heart of the EU’s strategy and is reflected in a substantial increase in assistance to third countries in this respect.
The EU has placed considerable emphasis on its immediate neighbourhood: Western Balkans, Turkey, and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. Actions include finalising Counter-Terrorism action plans with Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia and Turkey, expanding the EU Counter Terrorism experts’ network to the Sahel and Western Balkans, and focusing on preventive action on conflict and violent extremism prevention priorities identified through the EU Early Warning process.
The EU’s approach is guided by, and is consistent with, the approach taken by the UN to countering terrorism and by the principles and measures set out in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including UNSCR 2161 (2014) on freezing funds and other assets of terrorist groups, and UNSCR 2178 (2014) on measures to suppress the recruiting, organising, transporting or equipping of individuals who travel to another State to plan or carry out terrorist acts or training.
The former UN Secretary General’s comprehensive Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, presented in January last year, and his related reports are an important and welcome contribution to addressing the threat posed by international terrorism, and to highlighting the need to address drivers of violent extremism through dialogue and conflict prevention, strengthening governance and the rule of law, gender equality and empowering women, community engagement and youth empowerment, and education and skills development.
Ireland supports the comprehensive approach being taken at EU and UN levels level to preventing and countering terrorism. At meetings of the Council, I have stressed the need to tackle underlying factors that contribute to radicalisation and terrorism and in particular the importance of the link between security and development. I have emphasised the need to ensure a joined-up approach in relation to the discussions of Foreign Ministers and those of our Justice and Home Affairs counterparts with a view to a coordinated and comprehensive response to terrorism that can help ensure the safety of citizens abroad and in Ireland.
356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he remains assured that all other EU member states continue to support Ireland's position in negotiations on Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25997/17]
View answerOver the course of the past eleven months since the referendum in the UK, I – along with my Government colleagues – have been engaged in an extensive programme of engagement with our EU partners on Brexit. There have been over 400 such engagements with the 27 EU Member States and the EU Institutions, which has included most recently the visit of the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, to Ireland. This programme of engagement has been led by the Taoiseach, as well as my colleagues from across Government, complemented by official level meetings. For my part, I have had nearly 100 engagements with my EU counterparts and with the EU institutions.
A central goal of this engagement has been to ensure Ireland’s unique concerns in relation to Brexit are understood by our EU partners and to seek explicit recognition of these issues and priorities in the EU’s position for the withdrawal negotiations.
This extensive political, diplomatic and official campaign has delivered for Ireland. This was reflected most recently in the clear statement of support given by Michel Barnier when he said during his address to the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas that Ireland’s interests in the upcoming negotiations will be the EU’s interests. This has been demonstrated in practice through the strong acknowledgement of Ireland’s concerns and priorities in the European Council Guidelines, the detailed negotiating Directives and the European Parliament’s resolution on Brexit.
The EU Guidelines adopted by the Taoiseach and his counterparts on 29 April fully take account of the Government’s priority of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process, including the need for flexible and imaginative solutions to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland as well as recognising bilateral agreements and arrangements between Ireland and the UK, including the Common Travel Area.
The EU’s negotiating directives, which were agreed by the General Affairs Council on 22 May are fully in line with the EU Guidelines and additionally reflect the need to take full account of the situation of Irish citizens residing in Northern Ireland who will continue to enjoy rights as EU citizens. They also recognise the need to address issues arising from Ireland’s unique geographic situation, including the transit of goods to and from Ireland via the UK.
I have been struck by the very genuine level of engagement and understanding demonstrated by our EU partners with regard to the significant political challenges that Brexit poses to Ireland and in particular the peace process. Finding solutions will be a difficult exercise, but my engagement with EU partners has left me fully confident that we can count on their support as we seek the right outcome for Ireland at the end of what will be complex negotiations.
357. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts are ongoing within the European Union to address the issue of euroscepticism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25998/17]
View answerThe growth in support for populist parties holding eurospectic views has been a feature of the European political scene in recent years. One factor behind this is disillusionment among Europe’s citizens that their everyday concerns are not being addressed by their political leaders. In response, they have been listening more closely to those offering easy answers and all too often, simplistic solutions.
The Rome Declaration agreed by EU leaders in March rightly highlights the EU's achievements, which leaders see as being increasingly overshadowed by the drift towards euro scepticism and the sense of alienation among voters. One way of addressing this sense of alienation is for the EU to deliver practical improvements to the lives of citizens throughout the Union.
While there are differing views about the order and emphasis on different policy priorities – jobs and growth, Single Market and Digital Single Market, migration, internal and external security and defence – there is convergence on the need to communicate that the EU will prioritise delivery for its citizens, re-dedicate itself to its core values, and reaffirm its raison d'être as the embodiment of peace, stability, democracy and the Rule of Law in these uncertain times.
Delivery on these important issues should serve to rekindle citizens’ trust in - and support for - the EU and the values it espouses.
