Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Presidency.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the likely policies to be pursued during Ireland's Presidency of the EU with particular reference to European defence and security, crime, international terrorism, peacekeeping, stem cell research and human cloning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27053/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

In the security and defence area, Ireland, as holder of the EU Presidency, will seek to facilitate continued development of the EU's capacity to prevent and manage crises. Effective conduct of ongoing ESDP operations will be a central priority, as will planning for any future missions which may arise.

The theme of conflict prevention will be an important cross-cutting aim of our Presidency. In conjunction with our partners, we will seek to implement further the EU's programme for the prevention of violent conflicts. As part of our commitment to this area, we will be hosting a conference on conflict prevention in Dublin in late March-early April which will focus on the role of civil society and non-governmental organisations in conflict prevention.

On international terrorism, Ireland will pursue the further implementation of the EU's comprehensive plan of action to combat terrorism, adopted following the events of 11 September 2001 and the implementation of the provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions 1373 and 1390 with particular emphasis on the suppression of the financing of terrorism. Ireland will maintain and orient the European Union's policy regarding, and response to, international terrorism, taking account of the human rights dimension attaching to counter-terrorism, and the long-term need to explore further the underlying causes of terrorism and the consequences of terrorist attacks.

The European Commission's proposal for the funding of embryo stem cell research in limited circumstances is to be the subject of a debate in the European Parliament next week and of discussion at the forthcoming meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 27 November at which Ireland will be represented by the Tánaiste. Until it becomes clear in what way the matter will be progressed in the coming period it is not possible to say whether the issue will fall for further consideration during the Irish Presidency. The Government's broad approach to funding for embryonic stem cell research has, primarily, been to ensure that funding would not be available for research in Ireland which is not compatible with our law and ethical guidelines. Ireland supported the current moratorium at EU level on funding for such research and is anxious to see the greatest possible safeguards applying even in those member states where such research is legal and considered ethical.

With regard to the issue of human cloning the Deputy will be aware that this issue has been considered recently at the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Costa Rica presented a draft resolution, International Convention Against Cloning, which, had it been adopted, would have established anad hoc committee with a mandate to begin negotiations on an international convention to prohibit all forms of human cloning. Ireland supported the Costa Rican resolution and was one of its co-sponsors. However, before action could be taken by the Sixth Committee on the Costa Rican resolution, a motion to defer consideration of the issue for two years was proposed by Iran on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. Ireland voted against this motion. However, the motion was passed by a narrow margin. The issue of human cloning is therefore unlikely to arise, in this context, during our Presidency.