Written Answers Nos. 133-150
133. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the opinion expressed by the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice regarding the ability of the United Kingdom to unilaterally revoke Article 50. [51850/18]
View answerOn 10 December, and following the earlier opinion by its Advocate General, the European Court of Justice decided that a Member State can revoke a notification under TEU Article 50 of its intention to withdraw from the Union, unilaterally, at any point up to its withdrawal from the Union. The Court stipulated that it would have to be an unequivocal and unconditional decision, taken in accordance with the Member State's constitutional requirements.
Were the UK to revoke its notification, the withdrawal procedure would be ended and the UK would remain an EU Member State. Any decision to do so would be a matter for the UK, and it would not be appropriate to comment on what would be an internal matter for it.
The EU and UK have agreed a Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the framework for the future relationship. Our focus remains on seeing this deal ratified and implemented.
134. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on increased preparations for a hard Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53143/18]
View answer135. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the preparations that have been made to address difficulties arising from Brexit for the Government and citizens. [1703/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.
Since July 2018, the Government has made a number of key decisions on Brexit preparedness including on staffing, ICT and infrastructure at the ports and airports.
At its meeting of 11 December, the Government agreed that in light of ongoing political uncertainties and the Brexit deadline of 29 March, greater immediate priority must now be give to preparations for a no-deal Brexit.
Following this, the Government published its Brexit Contingency Action Plan on 19 December, which sets out detailed sectoral analyses and approaches to mitigating the impacts of a no-deal Brexit. Ireland's Action Plan is consistent with and complementary to the approach being taken at EU27 level to prepare for the UK's withdrawal.
On 15 January, further discussion at Cabinet took this work forward in the important areas of transport connectivity and medicines, with memos brought to Government by Minister Ross and Minister Harris, respectively.
A number of the actions identified in a no-deal scenario will still be required even in a central case scenario, including the Withdrawal Agreement with a transition period and the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and the political declaration on the future relationship, but with a longer timeframe for implementation.
While ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement is still the Government's preferred outcome, last week the Government published the general scheme of proposed primary legislative measures required in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The draft Omnibus Bill focuses on measures protecting our citizens and supporting the economy, enterprise and jobs, particularly in key economic sectors.
136. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the European Commission in respect of the current developments on Brexit. [3008/19]
View answer139. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken with President Donald Tusk or Mr. Michel Barnier since 21 January 2019 regarding the statement by Prime Minister May in the House of Commons. [3856/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 139 together.
I most recently met with Mr. Michel Barnier on 21 January, in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. We discussed the disappointing but not unexpected outcome of the 15 January vote in the House of Commons on the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Both Mr Barnier and I are in agreement that what we need from the UK is clarity on how it proposes to move forward, and ultimately what it wants to achieve. The EU could then consider any next steps it might take. The EU continues to take a united approach, and I thanked Mr Barnier for his unwavering support for Ireland.
Mr Barnier and I remain firmly of the view that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the British Government. The European Council in December and the joint letter from Presidents Tusk and Juncker have provided reassurances with regard to the backstop. The European Council has also made clear that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be renegotiated and that the EU will not agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with it. The EU stands ready to work further on the Political Declaration as we look to the future relationship.
I welcomed Mr. Barnier’s statement to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 16 January, in which he publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the backstop and to the Withdrawal Agreement as a whole, which represents the best possible compromise between the European Union and the United Kingdom. In our discussion, Mr. Barnier and I agreed that it is the only agreement on the table that provides the essential legal guarantee to avoid a hard border in any circumstances and protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.
As Mr Barnier stated in Strasbourg, an orderly Brexit remains our top priority, but we must be prepared for all scenarios. In light of the ongoing uncertainty in Britain, the European Council has asked that preparedness work at the national and EU level intensify, taking account of all possible outcomes. I have outlined Ireland’s approach in this regard to Mr. Barnier, including planned legislation and other contingency measures. I also thanked Mr. Barnier for the Commission’s continued helpful and constructive engagement in this area and their understanding of the particular challenges faced by Ireland.
137. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the need for the UK Government to respond positively to the unanimous requests of Dáil Éireann regarding the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4184/19]
View answerThe implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016 has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government.
These motions call on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Seamus Ludlow.
The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these motions and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government. I am engaged with the British Government on an ongoing basis on this issue, as are officials from my Department.
I met with Justice for the Forgotten in April last year to hear their views and update them on the Government’s continuing engagement on legacy issues, including with the British Government on the Dáil motions. In addition, officials from my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality met with Justice for the Forgotten in July to hear their views on the implementation of the legacy framework provided for under the Stormont House Agreement.
My Department also facilitated an engagement in Dublin on 29 August last for the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, Ms Judith Thompson, to hear the views of victims and survivors in this jurisdiction, including the families affected by the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and other attacks.
In relation to the Dáil motions, I have consistently underlined to the British Government that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the Dublin and Monaghan atrocities. I have also underlined that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government and indeed this House, and I have emphasised the urgent need for such a response.
The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this request and pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House.
138. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if European Union leaders or officials on their behalf requested a change to the EU backstop; and if there have been requests from his Polish counterpart on having a five-year time limit on same. [3852/19]
View answerThere has been no suggestion from any of our EU partners that the Withdrawal Agreement, or the backstop which forms part of it, can or should be reopened. Rather, there has been clear and unwavering solidarity on it from EU partners and institutions.
Throughout the Article 50 process, they have demonstrated strong understanding and support for the need to address the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, to maintain the necessary conditions for North-South cooperation, to avoid a hard border, and to protect the peace process. This has not changed.
The European Council, in its conclusions of 13 December 2018, made clear that the Union stands by the Withdrawal Agreement and that it is not open for renegotiation. This position was reiterated in the exchange of letters between Prime Minister May and Presidents Tusk and Juncker on 14 January, which provided important clarifications and reassurances, but made clear that the EU is not in a position to agree to anything that is inconsistent to what has been agreed with the British Government in the Withdrawal Agreement, including on the backstop.
The Polish Foreign Minister made a suggestion on a time limit for the backstop to me during his visit to Dublin in December. On that occasion, I made clear that a time limit would not work. The backstop acts as an insurance policy to avoid a hard border in all scenarios, and a time limit would be contrary to its purpose.
Since Foreign Minister Czaputowicz made his comments in a press interview, our ambassador has clarified with the Polish authorities that Poland maintains the EU’s unified position. This was confirmed in comments by the Polish Prime Minister in Davos.
140. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the legislation, including heads of Bills, from his Department which has been sent to European Union institutions before its publication for the period of the thirty-second Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4250/19]
View answerAs provided for in the Government’s Contingency Action Plan on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, published on 19 December 2018, at a national level, Ireland has screened all legislation currently in force to identify areas where legislative amendments will or may be required in the case of a no deal Brexit.
The General Scheme of these proposed amendments was published on 24 January 2019, as the Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019. In relation to this proposed legislation, and Brexit Preparedness and Contingency planning more generally, the Government continues to engage with the EU institutions and other Member States to ensure a coordinated approach, where appropriate.
The Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019 is intended to be consistent with and complementary to the steps currently under way at EU level to prepare for the UK’s withdrawal, notably as regards the implementation of the European Commission’s Contingency Action Plan published on 19 December 2018 and associated legislative measures. The Bill and the Parts contained within it may be updated or adjusted further in light of ongoing developments, including in respect of EU legislative measures currently under consideration and any additional measures taken collectively by the EU27 Member States, including Ireland.
141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Brexit negotiations continue to safeguard the interests of all persons on the island of Ireland, including the continued observance of the Good Friday Agreement in all aspects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4400/19]
View answerThe Article 50 negotiations concluded in November 2018 with the publication of the Withdrawal Agreement, which has been endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the British Government. An integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement is the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which also contains the backstop provisions. The Agreement, with its backstop provisions, is the only agreement on the table that provides the essential legal guarantee to avoid a hard border in any circumstances and protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.
In addition to the guarantee on avoiding a hard border in all circumstances, the Protocol contains provisions on a number of important areas for Ireland, including provision for the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, that North-South cooperation can continue and develop, and that the Single Electricity Market will be maintained on the island of Ireland. It also includes commitments to ensure no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in the Good Friday Agreement and confirms that people in Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy their rights as EU citizens. The Protocol also makes clear that these arrangements fully respect the constitutional status of Northern Ireland and the principle of consent under the Good Friday Agreement. All of this is aimed at ensuring that the impact of Brexit on the everyday lives of people, both North and South, is minimised and that the status quo on the island is protected.
The negotiations have been difficult and long, with flexibility and compromise shown on both sides. The European Council in December and the joint letter from Presidents Tusk and Juncker have provided important reassurances with regard to the backstop. They have also made clear that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be renegotiated and that the EU will not agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with it. We remain fully of the view that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal that fully protects the interests of everyone on the island of Ireland is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the British Government.
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he expects to be in a position to ensure that trade between Northern Ireland and the European Union can be facilitated notwithstanding Brexit in view of the need to ensure economic prosperity on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4401/19]
View answerNorth-South economic and social cooperation has benefited people across the island and supported the development of an all-island economy that has enhanced the prosperity of all. Protecting these gains is not just about ensuring frictionless trade; it is also about facilitating peoples’ lives and livelihoods. Fundamentally, this is about peace, reconciliation and prosperity.
Protecting the all-island economy has been a major priority for the Government throughout the Brexit negotiations. The issue was addressed in paragraph 49 of the December 2017 EU-UK Joint Report, in the context of North-South Cooperation and protection of the Good Friday Agreement. The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland within the Withdrawal Agreement protects the Good Friday Agreement and gains of the peace process in all its parts. This includes underpinning continuing North-South Cooperation and protecting the all island economy, including by maintaining the Single Electricity Market.
North-South cooperation and cross-border trade has grown significantly in the years since the Good Friday Agreement, strengthening a growing prosperity which both supports and is supported by the peace process. Underpinned by the current shared EU regulatory framework, cross-border trade at present represents the first export market for 73% of Northern Ireland’s small and medium-sized companies. More than 7,000 businesses trade from Northern Ireland across the island of Ireland, supporting over 165,000 jobs.
Recent research has also shown a high degree of integration of the economies North and South, including in supply chains and trade in intermediary products. This underlines the importance of securing an outcome in the Brexit negotiations that facilitates the continuation of the all-island economy as it functions today. This objective goes beyond trade and is to protect the Good Friday agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process. Peace and prosperity are mutually reinforcing, and cross-border trade is an important element in supporting jobs and building prosperity.
Outreach to Northern Ireland’s economic and business sector continues, and my Department is facilitating North-South relationship-building between business groups.
InterTradeIreland, one of the North-South Implementation Bodies, helps small businesses explore new cross-border markets, develop new products, processes and services and become investor-ready. It also offers practical cross-border business funding, information, advice and support to SMEs across the island. In addition, InterTradeIreland has also developed programmes aimed at helping SMEs to plan for Brexit.
The Withdrawal Agreement remains the best option and the only agreement on the table that avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland and protects the Good Friday Agreement. Our ambition throughout these negotiations has been to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement can continue to operate in all its parts after the UK leaves the Union, and the Government is committed that the gains and benefits of peace for people North and South, and East and West, can be protected.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he can continue to support the interests of the business community North and South in the context of the Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4402/19]
View answerThroughout the negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement, I, as well as officials from my Department, engaged in extensive contact with representatives from EU Member States, the Commission and Taskforce, and the UK, to advance Ireland’s priorities.
The Withdrawal Agreement, as agreed in November, and adopted by the European Council, is the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU. It can provide certainty to citizens and business, North and South, as we continue our preparations for the new relationship with UK outside the EU. It puts in place a period of transition, up to December 2020, and extendable for up to one or two years, if needed, during which EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK. This will allow for the negotiation of an agreement on the future relationship between the EU and the UK, which we hope will be deep and comprehensive.
At the same time, the Withdrawal Agreement, through the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, protects continuing North-South cooperation and the all-island economy while also recognising the continuation of the Common Travel Area.
It includes the backstop, which provides a guarantee that there will be no hard border no matter what the outcome is to the negotiations on the future relationship, and that the existing frictionless travel and North-South trade will be maintained.
Under the measures included for a backstop, should it need to be invoked, a UK-wide customs territory would apply, ensuring no tariffs or quotas, and including well-established rules with regard to ensuring a level playing field. Northern Ireland would remain aligned to those rules of the Single Market that are indispensable to avoiding a hard border and protecting the all-island economy. It would provide businesses in Northern Ireland with the best of both worlds, access to the EU Single Market and the ability to trade freely with the rest of the UK.
I should be clear that the backstop acts simply as an insurance policy, which we hope will never have to be used. It remains our priority to achieve a future relationship agreement that can resolve all these issues and obviate the need for the backstop. We are determined to work quickly toward that best possible outcome. The Political Declaration makes clear the EU and UK’s shared ambition to reach an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible partnership across trade and economic cooperation, among other areas.
At the same time, as part of the Government's long-standing and intensive Brexit planning and contingency work, we are providing an array of supports and information measures to assist businesses in Ireland to respond and prepare themselves. Across three Budgets, since 2016, the Government has put in place dedicated measures and schemes for the business and agrifood sector. This includes the Future Growth Loan Scheme, a €300 million fund to support strategic capital investment for a post-Brexit environment by business, and €71 million to further strengthen the agriculture sector’s ability to become more resilient in addressing the challenges of Brexit. Capital expenditure of €116 billion over the coming decade under Project Ireland 2040 will also allow the State and its Agencies to plan properly major infrastructure projects, while ensuring that communities and businesses can plan ahead.
Government enterprise agencies continue to work with companies, helping them to deal with Brexit – making them more competitive, diversifying market exposure, and up-skilling teams. Both Enterprise Ireland and Inter-Trade Ireland are providing grants to businesses to help them get Brexit-ready.
To better inform business and the public at large, the Government has also overseen a coordinated communication and outreach campaign, Getting Ireland Brexit Ready , through the Brexit website, social media and public events.
144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the bilateral aid programme continues to assist those in most need globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4403/19]
View answerThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s international development cooperation programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. In line with our commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, our bilateral aid programme is focused on reducing poverty and hunger, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, and building more equitable and better systems of governance.
In additional to assistance delivered through multilateral channels, during 2017 Ireland provided over €430 million in bilateral aid which was targeted at the least developed countries of the world with Sub-Saharan Africa a priority focus. This aid is given in support of countries’ development needs and through the provision of humanitarian assistance in response to emergencies and protracted crises. Final figures for bilateral aid in 2018 are being collated and will be published in the Irish Aid annual report later this year.
Our bilateral aid is delivering real and sustainable improvements in the lives of the poorest in the areas of basic health, education, agriculture, and food production. In 2018, the Overseas Development Institute, found that Ireland had the most effective support on ending extreme poverty compared to other international donors.
Ireland will continue to maintain a priority focus on those countries and people that are furthest behind and support them in making progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Government committed in the Global Ireland strategy to delivering the 0.7% target for ODA by 2030. This will facilitate an increase in Ireland's future bilateral aid contribution. In order to prepare for this, a new strategy on international development is currently being finalised.
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which commitments entered into by Ireland and other countries in response to various hurricanes, volcano eruptions and other natural disasters globally are being honoured with particular reference to alleviation of starvation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4404/19]
View answerIn 2017, over 95 million people were affected by disasters linked to natural hazards worldwide; over 9,000 people directly lost their lives; and economic losses from major disaster events were estimated at almost US $335 billion. Comprehensive figures for 2018 are not yet available, but the year saw another significant number of people around the world impacted by natural disasters, notably the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.
Climate change, together with poverty and poor environmental management, means that an increasing number of countries, in particular developing countries, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters.
The international community is providing record levels of funding, with a co-ordinated response that is reaching tens of millions of people affected by natural disasters. A rapid, effective response is vital in order to address the immediate needs of affected populations, as well as ensure a return to sustainable livelihoods, including alleviating the risk of starvation. Ireland's development programme also helps put in place sustainable food systems, so that the conditions which contribue to crises and starvation can be avoided.
Ireland’s humanitarian programme leads our response to global natural disasters, working with partners in the UN, EU, the International Red Cross Movement, ICRC, and Irish and international NGOS.
Ireland has developed a deep partnership with the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA. OCHA co-ordinates and leads coherent and effective international responses to humanitarian crises. Among other funds, OCHA manages the Central Emergency Response Fund, which responds to sudden onset disasters and to under-funded crises. Ireland is a strong supporter of both mechanisms and the current chair of the OCHA donor support group, which works with the Office of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator. In 2018, OCHA has assisted millions of people affected by natural disasters around the world, including the response to Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean, drought in Afghanistan, and floods in Nigeria. During 2018, my Department hosted a Casement Lecture by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock, on the theme of innovation in humanitarian financing, a contribution to the raising of awareness on new approaches to crisis response.
Ireland also works closely with the ICRC and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC. The IFRC is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, comprising 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent member societies, and reaches 160 million people annually through 17 million volunteers, members and staff. Ireland provided €1.85 million to the Federation in 2018 to support its coordination of relief operations to assist victims of natural disasters, including those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Indonesia.
Ireland's NGO partners provide rapid assistance following natural disasters. For example, in response to the eruption of the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala on 3 June 2018, Ireland provided €75,000 to Plan International to assist with shelter for those affected.
As well as responding quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster, it is also important to work with countries to build up their resilience to disasters. Ireland provides core support to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction worth €0.5 million to help them build capacity in Ireland’s key partner countries to prepare for and manage the impact of disasters.
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which all European countries continue to remain committed in full to the European project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4406/19]
View answerThe Government remains fully committed to Ireland’s membership of the European Union. Opinion polls consistently show that this is a view shared by the vast majority of the Irish people.
While I cannot speak for other Member States, I have every confidence in the commitment of our European partners to the European project. This has been re-affirmed on many occasions.
In September 2016, the leaders of the EU27 declared that, “although one country has decided to leave, the EU remains indispensable for the rest of us”. They repeated their commitment to the European project in the Rome Declaration in March 2017, when they pledged that, “Europe is our common future".
In building this future, leaders have said that they need to focus on the expectations of citizens and give them a vision of Europe that they can trust and support.
Each Member State has been consulting with its citizens to learn about the Europe they want. Last year, the Government hosted a series of Citizens’ Dialogues on the future of Europe to engage the Irish public directly in the debate.
These consultations are expected to inform the deliberations of the Heads of State or Government at their informal meeting in Sibiu on 9 May 2019, when they will discuss priorities for the next institutional cycle, with a view to agreeing the Strategic Agenda 2019-2024.
147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which countries applying for European Union membership continue to observe the acquis communautaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4407/19]
View answerThe EU has opened formal negotiations with two countries in the Western Balkans: Montenegro and Serbia. Both of these countries opened new negotiating chapters at their respective Accession Conferences in Brussels in December 2018. Montenegro now has 32 of 35 opened chapters, while, for Serbia, that number is 16. Further Accession Conferences will be planned, as appropriate, in order to take the process forward in the first half of 2019.
Progress has also been made in both the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania. The June 2018 Council conclusions on Enlargement set out the path toward opening accession negotiations with both countries in June 2019 subject to progress.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the commitment to advance on the European path needs to be translated urgently into comprehensive reform results on the ground.
Kosovo is at an early stage of its EU path – it is essential that greater efforts are made to build consensus across the political spectrum to advance Kosovo's European agenda and to accelerate the implementation of the required comprehensive reforms.
With regard to Turkey, Ireland has, together with its EU partners, expressed its serious concerns regarding the situation with respect to human rights, freedom of expression, rule of law, and democracy in the country. The EU still considers Turkey as a "key partner", and it formally remains a candidate for EU membership, but given the current circumstances, the June 2018 Council conclusions on Enlargement noted that Turkey has been moving further away from the European Union, stating that accession negotiations have effectively come to a standstill and that no further chapters can be considered for opening or closing at this point in time. Neither is any further work toward the modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union foreseen.
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, at European Union and United Nations levels, continues to positively influence the international community response to war and starvation in various trouble spots throughout the globe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4408/19]
View answerThe number and complexity of humanitarian crises globally has increased in recent years, with the UN estimating that over 130 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection. Conflict is the most significant driver of this increased need.
Critical to maximising Ireland’s response is our central and enduring commitment to effective multilateralism, particularly through our membership of the European Union and the United Nations. Ireland is a strong contributor not just to decisions regarding the international humanitarian response to crises but also, importantly, to efforts to prevent and resolve conflict.
At the EU level, Ireland is engaging actively along with other EU Member States on issues relating to peace and security, and also in the oversight of EU development and humanitarian instruments. Last week’s meeting of EU and African Union Foreign Ministers, attended by both the Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and myself, discussed peace and security cooperation - a central pillar of the EU-AU partnership. Through the European Development Fund, we are contributing to the African Peace Facility, an important source of funding for the African Union's efforts in peace and security.
Likewise, at the level of the UN, Ireland is playing a central role in promoting multilateral engagement on peace and security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We are also promoting the UN’s ability to respond effectively where crises occur. For example, Ireland is currently chairing the donor group of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA. This agency manages the Central Emergency Response Fund, responding to sudden onset disasters and to under-funded crises. A key priority for Ireland as Chair is the protection of civilians and the upholding of international humanitarian law.
In international forums, Ireland consistently advocates for adherence to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and calls on all parties – for example, those engaged in the Syria conflict - to fulfil their responsibility to protect civilians and to allow the safe passage of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland also continues to support efforts by the UN in keeping peace, improving human well-being and advancing human rights and the rule of law. The UN has helped to end numerous conflicts, often through actions of the Security Council - the organ with primary responsibility, under the United Nations Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Ireland has a long tradition of contributing to UN and EU peace-support missions, including in some of the world’s most complex and intractable conflicts. Ireland has maintained a continuous presence in UN peace support operations since 1958, and the Government is committed to participation in peacekeeping operations as a tangible contribution to the development of global peace and security. This was illustrated by the Taoiseach’s recent visit to Mali, where he met members of the Irish Defence Forces serving with the EU Training Mission to Mali, EUTM.
Ireland’s commitment to peace and security has informed our decision to seek election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2021-22. If elected, membership of the Security Council will allow Ireland to play an even more important influential role in the international response to the needs of the most vulnerable.
149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to monitor and contain the activities of organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4409/19]
View answerThe recent attack in Nairobi reminds us of the immediate impact of radicalisation and violent extremism on civilians in many countries in the world today. I remain deeply concerned by the threat to peace and security represented by armed groups such as Boko Haram and Al Shabaab. The Government consistently condemns their brutal attacks on civilian populations, and particularly the impact of such violence on women and girls.
Ireland is working with partners to implement a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of radicalisation in both regions. The EU is engaged through political dialogue, EU Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, missions (including EUCAP Somalia, EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta and EUTM Somalia), and development and humanitarian cooperation. The Irish Defence Forces and other Irish experts have participated in many different CSDP Missions, often at a senior level - the former Director of the Irish Coast Guard will deploy to Mogadishu to take up the position of Deputy Head of Mission at EUCAP Somalia at the end of this month. Ireland’s participation in these CSDP Missions allows us to contribute to international peace and security, to protect human rights, and to support conditions for sustainable development.
The EU is also actively supporting capacity building operations in the areas of maritime law enforcement and training, while in territories affected by Boko Haram, the EU has pledged €50 million in support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce which promotes regional security. The EU provides considerable support to the UN-mandated AMISOM, the African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia, to combat the serious threat posed by Al-Shabaab. Through a wide variety of programmes and partnerships, the EU also supports the strengthening of Somalia’s Government institutions.
Ireland works bilaterally, as an EU Member State, and with UN partners to promote peace and security in areas affected by armed groups. The Embassies of Ireland in Nairobi and Abuja actively monitor the situation on the ground, advise on humanitarian response and guide Ireland’s engagement in EU and UN forums.
In addition, Ireland works with partners on our collective humanitarian response. In 2018, Ireland provided €5.5 million in humanitarian support to the Somalia and €4.8 million to the Lake Chad region. As well as this direct bilateral aid, Ireland has also contributed significantly to humanitarian support through the multilateral system and via the EU. The European Union last year provided almost €89 million to Somalia and €90 million to the Lake Chad region. Ireland is the seventh-largest donor to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund, which last year allocated €15 million to Somalia and €43 million to the Lake Chad region. With humanitarian needs likely to remain acute throughout 2019, Irish funding will continue to target those most in need.
150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union continues to positively influence matters in the western Balkans with particular reference to preparations for European Union membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4410/19]
View answerThe EU remains dedicated to supporting the European future of the Western Balkans. In the Council Conclusions on Enlargement, which were agreed on Tuesday 26 June 2018, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to enlargement and stated that it continues to represent a strategic investment in peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability in Europe. The Conclusions also stated that the EU is determined to strengthen and intensify its engagement at all levels to support the region's political, economic and social transformation, including through increased assistance, based on tangible progress on the rule of law, as well as on socio-economic reforms, by the countries in the region.
There is a recognition that this is not only a strategic investment in Europe's security and prosperity, but that it can also contribute greatly to the long-term stability of formerly war-torn areas in that it helps create a political environment conducive to bilateral issues being resolved, as we have witnessed recently in the agreement between Athens and Skopje on the name issue.
As a demonstration of the EU’s commitment, the European Commission adopted in 2018 a strategy for, "A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans". In this Strategy, the Commission sets out clearly the actions that it will implement in the short to medium term to boost transformation efforts in the region in areas of mutual interest. These actions are set out across six flagship initiatives: strengthening the rule of law; reinforcing cooperation on security and migration and expanding the EU Energy Union into the Western Balkans; lowering roaming charges and rolling out broadband in the region. In addition, the Strategy underlines the need for the EU to be prepared to welcome new members on the condition they have met the rigorous criteria for doing so.
It should also be noted that the Commission proposal for the new Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance fund, IPA III, for the 2021-27 period, envisages a 13% increase (to €14.5 billion) compared to current funding, and also seeks to make this fund more strategic by clearly anchoring it in the context of the Western Balkans Strategy.
Over the longer term, there is a recognition in the EU that enlargement is a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values. A credible accession perspective is the key driver of transformation in the region as it enhances our collective integration, security, prosperity and social well-being.
