Gay Mitchell
Ceist:5 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on this country's Council of Europe Presidency. [25686/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Council of Europe Presidency.
Ireland assumed the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe at the Council's ministerial session in Strasbourg on 4 November. My colleague, Deputy Andrews, was pleased to be the sixth Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs to assume the position of chairman since Ireland joined the organisation as a founding member in 1949.
In his inaugural address to the Committee of Ministers, the Minister for Foreign Affairs set out Ireland's programme and priorities for the chairmanship which will run until May 2000. That programme has been laid before the Oireachtas and is available for the information of Deputies.
Since Ireland assumed the chair of the Committee of Ministers our permanent representation to the Council of Europe has been involved in the day to day running of meetings of the Committee of Ministers' Deputies. The priority for the council under Ireland's chairmanship must be to continue to adapt itself to the new political realities of a changing Europe. The council must be able to respond to additional challenges such as those presenting themselves in the Balkans and in the Caucasus, including Chechnya. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has made clear that, as chairman of the Committee of Ministers, he will do everything possible to assist in this.
The Minister was pleased to host a lunch for the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Lord Russell Johnston, when he visited Dublin last week. Lord Russell Johnston's visit coincided with the release of the publication Ireland and the Council of Europe Today, produced by our permanent mission in Strasbourg in partnership with the Council of Europe and detailing Ireland's relationship with the Council. A separate educational pack on the Council produced through a similar partnership with the Irish chairmanship will be widely circulated in schools in the country. Preparations are ongoing for several events associated with our chairmanship.
Ireland is organising a human rights seminar in conjunction with the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe Human Rights Directorate, to take place in Dublin in March 2000. A key aim of the seminar is to promote more effective interaction between international organisations in the field of human rights protection. A series of meetings have been held in Dublin and Strasbourg to finalise the agenda and speakers for the seminar, who will include the United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson. Papers from this seminar will be published as part of Ireland's contribution to celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs is also involved in preparations for the Council of Europe Conference on Social Development, which will take place in Dublin in January 2000 to finalise the Council's contribution to the UN special session on social development in June 2000.
It would be appreciated if the Minister could find time early in the new year to attend a meeting of the Oireachtas sub-committee on human rights to outline how she is getting on with her work at the Council of Europe. Will the Minister outline how she sees the Council of Europe and the European Union evolving in terms of their mutual roles? For example, the European Union has sought to bring about an observatory on racism and xenophobia. It may well be that this is a job better done by the Council of Europe. What co-operation exists and what will Ireland do to promote co-operation to ensure there is not an increase in overlapping responsibilities and, where it exists, that it is rationalised and done in a mutually co-operative way?
It would be best to avoid any overlapping in dealing with human rights issues. As I understand it, and as outlined in my reply, the plans in place for Ireland's Presidency are along the lines of anticipating what changes will come about in respect of the applications on enlargement of the Union. Enlargement of the Council, based on democratic institutions and human rights, is an essential element for the continued reconstruction of Europe. There is a complementarity there in that the whole point of having a European Union was to assist in peace and stability in the continent of Europe. We agree that enlargement should be inclusive but not unconditional. Ireland hopes that with active assistance from the Council the remaining applicant countries will bring their institutions and legislation in line with this requirement and resolve any conflicts between them so that they may be able to join at the earliest opportunity. There are many challenges facing countries in Europe, such as Bosnia Herzegovina, and issues in Kosovo, Turkey and Chechnya, which are vitally relevant to the Council of Europe. Ireland will use its Presidency to articulate our concerns on human rights particularly in the European context.
I note the Minister did not refer to my suggestion about attending a meeting of the sub-committee and perhaps she will do so when replying again. On this day in Ireland where unity in diversity is being given true recognition, will she agree the Council of Europe can promote a similar principle throughout the whole of Europe where there would be unity in diversity and that the place to start is with young people? It is young people who start name-calling whether it is proddy-woddy or some other term relating to somebody's colour, creed or whatever. Throughout Europe, whether in Germany or in Ireland where there are serious problems, there is a need to educate young people against racist and xenophobic tendencies. Will the Minister confirm that during Ireland's Presidency priority will be given to promoting such youth education programmes thoughout the Council of Europe?
The Deputy's suggestion is a good one. There are initiatives in place but they need to be strengthened in the context of the challenges presenting in Ireland in terms of xenophobia and the need to encourage diversity and respect for different cultures and minorities. The NCDE is the body which expends funds on behalf of the State in relation to development education and human rights education. I agree more needs to be done particularly in view of the changes in our Constitution which recognise cultural diversity and respect for people of all traditions as is fitting in a true republic, that we should move to counter signs of racism which have demonstrated themselves of late. One of the measures which is being considered by the Government, following a special meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee to deal with the whole immigration issue, is a public awareness programme to deal with promoting tolerance in our society, which starts at school level.
I will be happy to attend a meeting of the sub-committee on human rights.
We must proceed to the next question. That completes questions for priority.