I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Dick Roche, who will give a presentation. We will then hear a presentation from the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development, Deputy Peter Power.
Foreign Affairs and General Affairs Council Meetings: Discussion
I will make a point first. It is for the committee to organise its own business, and I appreciate the Chairman's adjudication. If the Greek package is to be discussed at any stage, I would welcome the chance to contribute. I have always ensured I am fully briefed before I come to the committee, to do it justice, as its members put in a great deal of work. It is therefore important that we have some sort of advance notice. The €1.3 billion from Ireland is completely protected, but as the Chairman said, the reality is that if the eurozone comes under further speculation, we will all suffer. I look forward to that debate.
I welcome this opportunity to meet the committee to review the agendas for next week's General Affairs Council and Foreign Affairs Council. With the Chairman's permission, I will give the committee a brief read-out of the key discussions at the General Affairs Council and Foreign Affairs Council on 26 April, in which this committee's work was mentioned. I attended both meetings.
The General Affairs Council discussed the European external action service at some length, and reached broad political agreement on the elements of a Council decision on the organisation and functioning of the EEAS. It has been a long and difficult task, and there was anxiety over whether we would reach such an agreement. Baroness Ashton has the loan of two staff to get the service up and running, but an external action service with any credibility cannot be run with two staff. It is time — and it is appropriate — that the EEAS gets organised and gets up and at it as early as possible.
Second, the Council had a broad orientation discussion on the citizens' initiative, which followed the lines of the discussion in this committee. This committee has anticipated all the items that arose during the orientation discussion.
There is broad support for the thrust of the Commission's proposal on the initiative, although a number of issues require further work. The General Affairs Council had a short discussion on Europe 2020, where the Presidency presented a brief outline of the proposals. Finally, there was a brief discussion of crisis response mechanisms in the EU following the recent volcanic eruption.
Foreign and defence ministers met in joint session, in which they considered the situation in Afghanistan and adopted conclusions on the common security and defence policy — CSDP — and marine strategy. Foreign ministers later adopted conclusions on Sudan and discussed the outcome of the recent parliamentary and presidential elections there. The recent political and security unrest in Kyrgyzstan was discussed, and conclusions were adopted regretting the loss of life and expressing concern at the fragile situation in the country.
Ministers held a lunch time discussion on how the EU allocates its resources in external relations. Under any other business, the anti-piracy operation Atalanta was discussed.
Members will be pleased to know that Burma, which was discussed at the committee's previous meeting, featured in the Foreign Affairs Council's agenda at Ireland's request. I pointed out in my presentation on Burma that I had tabled the item and requested the discussion because it had been discussed on a number of occasions in this committee.
I opened the discussion on the item by outlining the negative developments in the past few months and the concerns that exist in the Oireachtas. I dealt in particular with the draconian electoral laws that have just been published. I shared my view that the forthcoming elections would not be free or fair. I suggested we consider carefully the terms of reference of the proposed EU mission to Burma. Several member states intervened, and there was broad agreement with what I said on behalf of this committee.
High Representative Baroness Ashton concluded that preparations for an EU mission should be taken further on the basis of a firm request for a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi. The meeting will be on the same basis as the US representative's meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi.
I turn to next week's meetings. I will attend the General Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin. These meetings will be held in conjunction with the meeting of development ministers, on which the Minister of State, Deputy Power, will brief the committee.
The Foreign Affairs Council's agenda includes an item on piracy and Somalia. The EU anti-piracy operation Atalanta is on the agenda again. There is widespread agreement among EU member states and the international community on the need to address the root causes of piracy in the horn of Africa, which lie in the lawlessness that has plagued Somalia. The Council will discuss ongoing efforts to find suitable arrangements for the prosecution of Somali pirates ahead of a visit to the region by the High Representative.
The discussion follows the receipt of a letter from the Kenyan authorities that indicates their intention to discontinue, from next October, the agreement on the transfer of piracy suspects detained under the Atalanta operation. Some 75 suspected pirates have been handed over to the Kenyan authorities for prosecution since the EU-Kenya agreement came into force. The EU has a similar arrangement with the Seychelles and is exploring the possibility of instituting similar arrangements with other countries such as Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa,Tanzania and Uganda.
Nuclear proliferation is also on the Council's agenda. Members will be aware that the non-proliferation treaty review conference opened in New York on Monday, 3 May. The Minister for Foreign Affairs delivered Ireland's national statement on the same day. He was one of the first speakers in recognition of Ireland's close and long-standing association with the non-proliferation treaty. The prospects for the review conference are on the agenda for next Monday's meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council and Ministers are expected to approve conclusions. Ireland wants to see the review conference agree concrete and practical measures to advance the three so-called "pillars" of the non-proliferation treaty — non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
We also want to see a positive outcome on a resolution adopted by the 1995 review conference which proposes the establishment of a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East. Ireland has been asked to chair the body which will try to make progress on this Middle East resolution. One of our principal concerns is the lack of real progress on disarmament by nuclear weapons states and the continuing placing of conditions on moves towards disarmament.
Notwithstanding some regrettable elements in the Iranian President's address to the conference on Monday, it is too early to form a view about whether Iran will approach this conference in any way constructively. Some read significance into the fact that Iran did not exercise its right of reply in response to some hard-hitting points by other delegations, notably the United States.
I welcome the New START, Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, agreement and hope both Russia and the United States can ratify it without delay. The US Nuclear Posture Review, while it did not address all our concerns — for example, disarmament could have been more prominent — is nonetheless a move in the right direction.
Iran, of course, is also on the agenda. I expect the E3 delegations, France, Germany and the UK, to brief on the current state of discussions between the P5 plus Germany in New York regarding a new Security Council resolution on Iran. Separate Council conclusions on Iran are not expected. However, the conclusions on the non-proliferation treaty may touch on the issue of Iran.
Progress on agreeing a new Security Council resolution has slowed in New York and is unlikely to regain momentum until the non-proliferation treaty review conference concludes at the end of the month. Iran's nuclear ambitions are, of course, likely to figure highly in the current discussions aimed at strengthening the NPT. Prospects for agreeing a new resolution appear to have improved, with High Representative Ashton noting recently that discussions with the Chinese have moved to how, not whether, to sanction Iran. In all likelihood, however, it could be June before a new resolution is prepared and adopted.
For our part, we accept that Iran's continuing failure to respond seriously to the major concerns existing over its nuclear programme, and, indeed, its dismissive attitude towards such concerns as evidenced by intensified uranium enrichment on its part recently, has left the international community with little choice but to step up pressure through a further tightening of sanctions. We also accept that the EU, in line with the declaration adopted by the European Council in December last, may have little option but to adopt complementary measures of its own so as to reinforce any additional sanctions decided upon by the Security Council. It is regrettable that Iran is pursuing this course of action because it is in nobody's interest, least of all that of Iran, that it should do so.
The human rights situation in Iran also continues to be of concern, with opposition leaders and activists continuing to be the subject of severe restrictions. Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for protests on 12 June to mark the first anniversary of the 2009 presidential election. He also called on teachers and workers to join the reformist cause. However, the hard-line repression of dissidents over the past year may mean that widespread protests are unlikely. The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor closely the treatment and trials of those in detention, including the seven leaders of the Bahi'i community in Iran whose trial was further adjourned last month after a brief session closed to their families. One positive development on the human rights front is that Iran has now decided to withdraw its candidacy for elections to the UN Human Rights Council which take place later this month.
Preparation for the forthcoming EU-Russia summit, which will take place from 31 May to 1 June in Rostov-on-Don in Russia, is listed as a possible item for discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council. Topics expected to be discussed are the global economic crisis, climate change and energy issues, developments in EU-Russia relations and regional and international issues. The summit will provide an opportunity to review progress in the negotiations on a new EU-Russia agreement which is to replace the existing Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. Another key topic for discussion will be the Partnership for Modernisation initiative which was proposed at the last EU-Russia summit in Stockholm in November 2009. The initiative aims to enhance co-operation between the EU and Russia in a number of areas including economic modernisation, business and trade regulation and the rule of law. Other topics which may arise during the summit include visa requirements on which issue the Russians are strong, Russia's accession to the WTO and the situation in the northern Caucasus.
Over lunch, the High Representative is expected to invite Ministers to indicate what they would like to see on the Foreign Affairs Council agendas in the coming months. High Representative Ashton was making the point that she would like to see items strategically placed on the agenda with fairly long lead-ins so there could be more coherence in the discussions at Council meetings. The lunch time discussion, however, will focus primarily on EU relations with strategic partners. As mentioned, a discussion took place at the April Foreign Affairs Council on the distribution of EU resources around the world. In fact, the High Representative produced an extraordinarily interesting report on this which came as a surprise to many of us. Foreign Ministers previously discussed relations with strategic partners at the Gymnich meeting in early March. Discussion at the Council on Monday is expected to focus specifically on the relationship with China and with Japan.
In recent years China has undergone spectacular economic growth, increasing its prominence on the world stage and its interdependence with the rest of the world. This growing influence has led to China becoming an increasingly self-assured foreign policy actor and it is expected that China will continue to work towards expanding its prestige as a global player through specific foreign policy initiatives. China's foreign policy is governed by its priorities of national and regional stability, its expanding resource needs and by the range of its economic interests. China maintains a traditional policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries but its growing resource and commercial interests are increasingly involving it in domestic issues in those countries where it is investing and trading. Human rights and fundamental freedoms remain problematic in China. While China engages in a wide range of dialogue, co-operative ventures and trade with the EU, the reality is that China remains to be convinced that the European Union will emerge as a key global political force and that its interests are best served by up-scaling relations with the EU. The discussion on Monday will provide an opportunity for Ministers to review that relationship, to identify key priorities for its development, as well as to consider how the EU's most important strategic interests can be promoted.
The EU's relationship with Japan will also be discussed. During the course of the discussions at last month's meeting it emerged that Europe has a very small representation in Japan, which came as a surprise to many of us. Japan is the world's second largest economy, the only Asian country in the G8 and an active member of many international organisations. The EU-Japan relationship is an important one but there is a sense that our "like-mindedness" on a range of political and economic issues is not sufficiently reflected on the world stage and that, working together more closely and effectively internationally, we could be achieving much more. On the EU side, it was felt that Japan largely thought of the European Union as a key trading partner and economic entity and that it insufficiently recognises the developments in the post-Lisbon environment. That, I should suggest, is probably more a fault of the EU than of Japan. This thinking was explored and discussed at some length at the annual EU-Japan summit, which took place in Tokyo on 28 April. At the summit, it was agreed that the current EU-Japan action plan, which expires in 2011, will be replaced by a much more ambitious agenda and programme of co-operation.
The Foreign Affairs Council will be followed by the General Affairs Council. The General Affairs Council will discuss preparation for the European Council of 17 June 2010 based on the agenda which is now tabled. The European Council will deal with Europe 2020, the strategy for jobs and growth, the G20 Toronto summit, the millennium development goals and climate change.
There is a conscious effort to keep the agenda focused. The General Affairs Council will probably touch upon the economic and financial situation and progress in relation to financial regulation and supervision, given that the June European Council is expected to receive reports from the ECOFIN Council and the Commission concerning these matters. The General Affairs Council may also note that ECOFIN on 18 May will provide input for the June European Council's decision on the EU position for the Toronto G20 summit. The May General Affairs Council will have the opportunity to take stock of the situation.
On 2 May, euro group Ministers endorsed a three-year programme of support to assist Greece and a meeting of the Heads of State or Government of the euro area to conclude the process has been convened by President Van Rompuy for tomorrow evening. The matter has been confined fairly strictly to the euro group format, but I mention it as a possible background to Monday's General Affairs Council.
The June European Council may also consider the outcome of the UNFCCC negotiations which will be held in Bonn from 31 May to 9 June. The GAC will also be aware that the European Council may note the update to the UNFCCC on the preliminary state of play of the EU and its member states' commitments to provide fast-start financing and the European Council may note this. The Commission will present proposals at the end of this month which are expected to outline an approach to a step-up to a 30% reduction in EU emissions reduction. These proposals will be discussed in the Environment Council on 11 June.
There is now a significant body of work to be undertaken in relation to various aspects of the new European strategy for jobs and growth, Europe 2020, including the education and social inclusion targets at national and EU level, ahead of the anticipated formal adoption of the new strategy at the June European Council. Senior Irish officials had an initial meeting on 29 April with the Commission and the Spanish Presidency in Brussels. The purpose of this meeting was to begin the process of dialogue with the Commission concerning Ireland's national targets, as envisaged under the new strategy. There was a brief discussion at the April GAC on the various steps required on the new Europe 2020 strategy ahead of the June European Council. It is not anticipated that the May GAC will enter into a detailed discussion on this matter.
This concludes my comments on the agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council and the General Affairs Council meetings next week. I am grateful to have this opportunity to set out the agenda for the committee. I would be very pleased to hear the comments of the committee members as I finalise our preparations for the Councils in the coming days. I will be happy to clarify any questions members may have.
I thank the Minister of State for a very comprehensive report. I invite the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power, to present his report on overseas development aid.
My statement to the committee will be a slightly abridged version of the statement circulated. This is in the interests of time and to allow for discussion. I am quite happy to answer questions on any paragraphs that I may omit at this stage.
The May Foreign Affairs Council is the first of two Councils under the Spanish Presidency which will include a development segment. In June, the Council will hold a special session to prepare conclusions for the European Council, setting out the EU's position for the millennium development goals review summit in New York in September. Next week's Council will include an orientation debate on the millennium development goals. The Council will also hold an orientation debate on gender equality and women's empowerment and will discuss the situation in Haiti and developments with regard to the European external action service. Council conclusions will be adopted on food security, humanitarian food assistance, the west Africa economic partnership agreement development programme and the EU role in global health.
I will brief the committee on the draft conclusions of the Council meeting. The Council will adopt conclusions with regard to food security. I remain firmly convinced that our inability to feed the people on our planet is the most significant collective failure of the developed world and the international community. We need to be clear that the complete eradication of hunger is an obligation which we must all fulfil. We face serious economic problems in Europe but hundreds of millions of people in Africa are living with the daily experience of hunger. More than 1,000 million people in the world will go to sleep hungry tonight, approximately 100 million more people than last year and approximately one sixth of all humanity. Global food security is a significant and growing development challenge, particularly in the context of a rapidly rising global population. It is also a fundamental and preventable obstacle to the alleviation of poverty. I intend that hunger, food security and nutrition will be a central part of Ireland's contribution to the millennium development goals summit in September and will form part of our shaping of the collective EU contribution to that summit.
Ireland strongly supports a new policy emphasis on various priority areas, in line with the recommendations of the Government's hunger task force report which reported in 2008 and for which I have been lobbying internationally at every opportunity, in Brussels, in Africa and last week, in Washington and New York.
The Council will adopt conclusions welcoming the Commission communication on humanitarian food assistance which provides a timely policy framework for the European Union and its member states to tackle hunger in humanitarian crises, in an effective, efficient and co-ordinated way. The communication underlines the importance of an integrated approach in addressing short-term and longer-term food security needs. The aim is to prevent gaps in assistance to affected communities and to maximise the effectiveness and sustainability of food security responses.
I welcome the approach as outlined in the Commission communication and the draft Council conclusions. This approach is very much in line with Ireland's efforts to promote a stronger comprehensive response to global hunger and food insecurity. The Council will also adopt conclusions on the west Africa economic partnership agreement programme. They will represent a positive EU response to a detailed programme drawn up by national and regional stakeholders in west Africa, including governments, the private sector and civil society. The programme sets out a comprehensive framework to address the region's development needs on trade, including economic partnership agreements currently being negotiated with the European Union. The draft Council conclusions confirm that the European Union expects to be in a position to provide substantial support to the west African programme. They represent important political support for these ongoing negotiations.
I expect the Council will also adopt a set of conclusions on the EU's role in global health which will clearly restate our commitment to give special attention to health systems in the European Union's poorer partner countries. It is important that the conclusions should highlight the lack of progress towards achieving the fifth millennium development goal on maternal health. This is a vital concern in itself and is one of Ireland's concerns. It is also essential to restate that improving the health of women and girls is crucial in the wider sense for women's rights, gender equality and women's empowerment. Ireland has a strong commitment to action in support of this goal which is also important in tackling HIV-AIDS. It is a global scandal that each year, some 500,000 women die and a further 10 million suffer from severe illness or disability as a result of complications in pregnancy and childbirth. A recent report by The Lancet has shown that the right intervention can have an effect in reducing maternal mortality but that the situation in sub-Saharan Africa remains particularly bleak. We are working with our EU partners and others to ensure that the millennium development goals summit addresses the issue of maternal mortality.
The Council will review developments in Haiti. Four months after the devastating earthquake, it is clear that despite the appalling conditions, significant progress has been made across all sectors of the humanitarian response. Humanitarian organisations have reached 86% of the 1.5 million homeless people needing emergency shelter materials. There is no room for complacency. The scale of the humanitarian challenge remains immense. Constant rains over recent weeks have revealed that some tents are not waterproof and that the distribution of additional plastic sheeting has been necessary. In addition, the identification of appropriate space for more durable hurricane-resistant shelter remains problematic and sanitation facilities remain well below acceptable emergency standards.
In parallel with the ongoing humanitarian response, attention is focusing on Haiti's recovery and reconstruction. The international donors' conference, Towards a New Future for Haiti, held in New York on 31 March, succeeded in mobilising more than $9 billion in donor support. On behalf of the Government, I pledged assistance of €13 million over the next three years. I recognise the truly remarkable generosity of the Irish people in their individual responses and the excellent work being undertaken every day by key Irish non-governmental organisations and aid charities.
To date, the Government has provided €4.5 million for Haiti, including direct financial contributions and in-kind assistance. Eight members of Ireland's rapid response corps were deployed to Haiti and another one will travel presently. Ireland has consistently underlined the importance of aid effectiveness for Haiti and is fully supportive of the ongoing EU joint programming exercise.
Perhaps the most important development forum internationally this year will be the millennium development goals review summit to be held in New York from 20 to 22 September. It must focus on accelerating progress towards the achievement of all the goals by 2015. The UN Secretary General's recent report on the goals noted major successes in several countries, demonstrating they are achievable with the right policies, adequate levels of investment and international support. However, the report also highlights that progress has been uneven. Without additional efforts, there is little prospect of achieving the goals in full. The situation in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa is especially difficult.
The position we adopt in New York in September must be the driving force behind our development agenda for the next five years. We must get it right. During the discussion on the forthcoming summit at the most recent meeting of development Ministers held in Spain, I stressed the importance of a clear, concise and strong EU position for New York focusing on the first goal, addressing extreme poverty and hunger, which is at the heart of progress across all goals. The summit will need to focus in particular on accelerating progress in lagging regions and countries. The goals can only be achieved universally, not just on an aggregate level. Progress in one country or region cannot be seen as compensating for continuing or increasing poverty in another.
Aid budgets across the developed world are undoubtedly under pressure. Ireland's contribution to sustainable development must be based on sustainable Exchequer finances at home. The urgency for all donors must be to prioritise key sectors and to make the aid we provide more effective in the fight against poverty and hunger. At the summit in September, Ireland will maintain its focus on global hunger. Last week we reached agreement with the Obama Administration to co-host an international meeting at the summit on a comprehensive approach to the global hunger crisis. This high level political event will highlight the importance of linking agriculture, food security and nutrition programming to tackle the root causes of vulnerability to hunger and provide a realistic and sustainable solution to the global hunger crisis.
The Council will also focus on developments with the new European External Action Service, EEAS. The entry into force of the Lisbon treaty has led to significant architectural changes in the European institutions, including the creation of a full-time President of the European Council, the establishment of the new post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the creation of the EEAS. The service is intended to support the work of the High Representative across the entire range of EU external relations, not just with the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
From a development perspective, Ireland has been actively engaging in the debate to ensure development policy and the programming of financial instruments are best placed in the new aid architecture to meet the complex challenges of the EU development agenda. Following months of detailed discussions between the High Representative, the Commission, the Council and the member states, last month's General Affairs Council reached consensus on the establishment of the service on the basis of the compromise proposal from the High Representative.
The new arrangements are considered by all member states to be well balanced. They represent a step in the right direction in improving the effectiveness of EU development policy by improving the coherence of the EU's external policies and development's place in them. The text refers specifically to Article 208 of the Lisbon treaty which places development at the heart of EU policy and, more importantly, states the EEAS will promote in its wider work the principles of the Union's development and humanitarian assistance policy.
In line with the spirit of the Lisbon treaty, the new arrangements should assist in the more effective integration of development into the EU's overall external relations. They will also improve the effectiveness of both development policy and broader foreign policy with a more central focus on poverty reduction.
Concerns have been expressed, especially by development NGOs across Europe, that the position of development will be weakened in the new institutional arrangements. However, on the basis of additional measures worked out with our partners, we now have the opportunity to strengthen the role of development in the Union's overall foreign policy.
I thank the Minister of State for his presentation.
For the second time, the EU's anti-piracy mission in Somalia, ATALANTA, is on the agenda given that the Kenyan authorities have indicated their intention to discontinue from next October the agreement on the transfer of piracy suspects detained under the operation. Has the EU been successful in exploring other arrangements with other African countries in this regard?
In the recent elections in Ukraine, the incumbent, Viktor Yushchenko, lost to ViktorYanukovych who was Russian backed. He has already done a deal with Mr. Putin on the Russian Black Sea fleet being based in Ukraine until the middle of the century. Russia is an important player in the gas and oil supply market. Everyone will recall two winters ago when Russia turned off gas supplies to Ukraine and other eastern European countries. Obviously, the deal done by Mr. Yanukovych will see cheaper fuel supplies for Ukraine. Does the Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, believe Yanukovych will be pro-Russian and pro-European at the same time?
EU relations with its strategic partners, China and Japan, will dominate this Council meeting. What about relations with India, another superpower? It is important that developing our relations with India are given importance on the agenda.
Another question that arises concerns President Van Rompuy's meeting tomorrow with the EU leaders. I presume the Taoiseach will attend that meeting. It is very important that confidence is shown now by all EU member states regarding the euro because what has been done so far has not stemmed the weakening of the currency. That is a major issue for all eurozone states because there could be a roller coaster effect in other states like Portugal and Spain, and we do not know what will happen in the United Kingdom after today's election when a new government comes into place.
Ireland has played an important role in terms of funding for the countries we help in Africa. Is the Minister of State, Deputy Power, happy the EU is playing a role, especially in the area of global health in Africa?
I apologise for being late. I was detained in the big House, so to speak. I thank both Ministers of State for their presentations and wish them well with their future deliberations.
I have three questions, the first two of which are for the Minister of State, Deputy Roche. He mentioned the human rights position in Iran and that it continues to be of grave concern, particularly in terms of the restrictions being imposed on opposition leaders and some activists. He said his Department was closely monitoring the position. Could the Minister of State outline more clearly the EU policy in this area and what we are trying to achieve? What degree of co-operation do we have with the authorities in Iran? Second, the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, might make some comment on the application of Iceland.
My final question is to the Minister of State, Deputy Power. He mentioned the significant progress that has been achieved in Haiti, which is welcome. While I appreciate that bad news always makes the news and that it is difficult to get coverage of good news, the fact that as a Government we have pledged €13 million over three years and that, collectively, individuals have pledged many millions of euro as well, makes it clear that the tragedy in Haiti was one that struck the hearts of most Irish people. Is there some way we could use the media to try to explain to people how well their contributions have been invested and the success they have brought to Haiti? It would be a welcome development if people could see the way their money is being spent, especially when it is as successful as the Minister of State has outlined.
I have a number of questions for the Minister of State, Deputy Roche. He said there is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow with the Heads of State to conclude the process of the programme of support to assist Greece. Does the Minister of State have any more details about that? What questions will the Taoiseach raise at that meeting?
The Minister of State said he would mention it as a possible background to Monday's General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting. Should that not be a major item on the agenda of the General Affairs——
We had a discussion on that issue at the outset. We made a decision in respect of the strategy to be adopted by the committee. A special meeting will be held by this committee, with a briefing from the relevant Departments, to concentrate solely on that issue. That will take place at the earliest opportunity. I apologise for interrupting the Deputy.
I raise an issue that was mentioned in the Dáil today and ask the Minister of State if he has any comment to make on it. It concerns the proposal for an independent European credit rating agency. Does the Minister of State have any comment to make about that?
I thank the Ministers of State, Deputies Roche and Power, for their helpful and comprehensive statements. I want to raise a number of issues, in particular the Foreign Affairs Council. First, I welcome the highlighting by the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, of the position in Burma. I am delighted that it was he who started the discussion on that. The Minister of State will be aware that Aung San Suu Kyi is a free person of the city of Dublin. Many people in Ireland are appalled at the treatment not just of her but of the people of Burma by the terrible military dictatorship. I commend the Minister of State's work in continuing to highlight that. It is a beautiful country that deserves a better present and a better future than it has currently.
Second, regarding the considerable developments, both positive and negative, in the nuclear arms field and the recent NPT review conference, I note that was well reported by the media, particularly the reaction of some countries and diplomats to the speech of the Iranian President at that conference. I was not aware but was interested to read that Ireland has been asked to chair a body which will monitor progress on the resolution to make the Middle East a nuclear free zone. Will the Minister of State clarify who asked Ireland to chair that group? Who will be on that group? What is its mandate? Has Ireland accepted the chair of that group? Is it our intention to plan to make the Middle East a nuclear free zone, which I would support, to include the issue of the Israeli nuclear arsenal over which there is a question mark?
I was glad to hear the Minister of State welcome the new nuclear reduction treaty between the United States and Russia. We should praise the work of President Obama who has a clear vision of a nuclear free world. As both Ministers of State will be aware, Ireland has a strong pedigree in the nuclear disarmament issue and we should continue the fight to rid the world of all nuclear arms.
I very much welcome the fact that the upcoming EU-Russia summit is being given priority. This committee has highlighted not only EU-Russia relations but Irish-Russia relations as a priority area for work. We have been trying to arrange a bilateral visit to Russia for the past two years without any success. I am sure one day somebody will succeed in breaking that logjam which seems to elude this committee. Will Ireland have any representatives at that EU-Russia summit? How will we get feedback from it? Would the Minister of State be prepared to give this committee feedback? I agree with the earlier comments that from an energy, security and trade point of view, EU-Russia relations are very important. I am not sure that area has got the priority it deserves in this country. It is a country with which we could be doing much more business. We are significant trading partners but we could be doing much more trade with Russia.
The Ministers of State have many questions to address. It would be no harm to emphasise that there are a number of challenging issues, both in the development area and in regard to Europe's relations with the wider world community. What is essential, and this was echoed by members who spoke, is the need for solidarity within the European Union member states in respect of all the challenges that face the European Union as an entity and the individual member states, whether they are within or outside the eurozone. There are many interests of a speculative nature worldwide that have a wish or a wish list for a weak and divided Europe with weak and divided currencies. Fluctuation between those currencies is something they very much wish for. I strongly support the views expressed by others and those expressed by the Minister of State in this regard.
Development aid is decidedly important now and the focus should not shift with any degree of permanency because of other pressing issues. It is important that pressing issues in respect of hunger, human rights and health in the countries to which the Minister of State's programme refers are not ignored because they must be dealt with in any event. If they are not dealt with now, they must be dealt with at a later stage with a greater cost. It is that simple. I call on the Ministers of State to reply in whatever order they prefer.
I will take the questions in the order which I dealt with the various issues. Deputy Breen raised the issue of piracy in Somalia. The Deputy is correct. There is no point in putting people's lives at risk to rescue crews. For example, there was an extraordinary and dramatic Russian rescue of one of its crews today. The pirates were arrested and captured during the process. However, if one cannot hold a trial of the pirates and one simply puts them back onshore in Somalia, it simply adds to the problem. That could lead to more vicious actions and, in turn, that would benefit no one. As the Deputy remarked, discussions with several African states on the trials for these people are taking place. The discussion with the Seychelles might be the most immediately hopeful. It is to be hoped there will be further discussions with the Kenyans as well because they have been standing in the gap. They will be finishing their operations in September. To date, 75 pirates have been handed over to the Kenyan authorities. We can understand, given the resources available, why the Kenyans find themselves in the current position, but we hope they can be persuaded to reverse the position they have taken. Deputy Seán Power referred to the piracy issue as well.
Deputy Mulcahy raised the issue of nuclear non-proliferation. He is correct and there can be no doubt whatsoever that Ireland has played a very historic role in this area. That is why the role of chairman has been suggested. We have been asked to chair the conference, a very significant honour. The request for Ireland to chair the conference arose because of our long historical links with the issue. The Minister, Deputy Martin, spoke on the matter at the United Nations. The United Nations recognises in the speaking order the role individual countries have played in this area, and Ireland is always among the first speakers. It will be quite challenging but it is important we take up the role and continue it.
Have we accepted it?
Yes.
Does it involve an individual person?
A senior official will be designated by the Minister to do it and there will be political support from the Minister and his successors. It will be a fairly detailed job. It is a singular honour for Ireland and it is a recognition that in this particular area we have more than punched above our weight. This has been the case under many Administrations dating back to the beginning of the non-proliferation treaty.
Deputy Seán Power put several questions, specifically about Iran and the human rights situation there. It is very much to the forefront in our concerns and our dealings with the country. I have some personal knowledge of Iran and I do not believe a disconnect with concerns about human rights is a reality with the average Iranian. They are a very civilised people. Civilisation flourished there while we were still living in holes in the ground, and it is very tragic that the nation has turned in on itself. The human rights position there will remain to the forefront of our thoughts. The Government has made it clear that it views the deterioration of human rights there, especially the manner in which post-election protests were handled, as something we deeply regret. The Minister, Deputy Martin, and I have separately raised Irish concerns and concerns expressed in this committee with the Iranian Foreign Minister. The Minister, Deputy Martin, has written to the Foreign Minister on the matter. We have made very strong declarations on this issue on several occasions, as has the EU.
I refer to Russia-EU relations, a matter raised by Deputy Breen. The Deputy is correct and I have made the point several times that Europe must accommodate a relationship with Russia on a healthier basis than that which has prevailed up to now. There is a traditional view of the bear in the forest and one may understand how central and eastern European countries may hold that view of Russia. However, we should not be victims of history. We must learn from it and move forward. I agree with the Deputy's point that there is a need for a much better dialogue between the EU and Russia. There are some good signs. The reaction of Prime Minister Putin and the President to the tragedy in Katyn was very good and positive and in a way it helps to heal a dreadful piece of history. We should not be victims of history. Ireland will not be directly involved in the summit because the European Union will be represented by Mr. Van Rompuy and the President of the Commission. That is the standard operational procedure.
Deputy Breen also referred to Ukraine. The Deputy pointed out that Yanukovych comes from the Russian side of the Ukrainian population. Ukraine is a remarkably divided nation. This is why its flag has gold and blue. The colours of the flag reflect the position. Yanukovych's start has been very clever. He has been looking both east and west. It was inevitable that the Russians would do a deal with the Ukrainians about the fleet. That was always on the cards. The decision on gas gives grounds for some hope because it has been a major issue with the central and eastern states in the European Union. I share the point made by the Deputy that Ukraine will be a very important player in the years ahead and Europe has a particular interest in this regard.
While I have no wish to anticipate the committee's discussion, several members referred to Greece. The meeting tomorrow is very important and it will conclude the process. The meeting serves to trigger the process and that is welcome. One positive aspect of the Greek downturn has been the coming together of European nations. The eurozone nations have decided to pool their resources to prevent a complete failure in Greece. One of the mistakes made has been a delay in triggering that process. Undoubtedly, this has encouraged the speculative activity to which the Chairman referred and it is salutatory to remember that point. Some 20 years ago, almost to the month, the drachma was the subject of extraordinary pressure by international hedge funds and various other speculative bodies. The second currency they picked on or attacked was the punt and the third was sterling. It is in all our interests that the European Union and the eurozone protect themselves.
I refer to the arrangements which have been made, although I have no wish to anticipate the committee's discussions. There will be €110 billion provided over three years. Ireland's contribution will be €1.3 billion. Ireland's contribution is completely protected because member states are borrowing to pool their resources within the eurozone to protect Greece. In this way, we achieve two advantages. We protect the euro and it is in no one's interest that the euro would sink. Also, as a result of the arrangements made, the moneys provided will be fully covered, whether they are borrowed or the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, comes up with them separately. Deputies will be able to discuss the detail of the issue shortly, when legislation is brought to the Dáil. It must be borne in mind that we will be borrowing at a rate that will be slightly more than half of a percentage point below the rate at which we will pay it back. While it is not a question of making a profit out of it, we will be covered. We will make something of a return.
Deputy Tuffy touched on the important issue of the credit rating agencies. I am not sure if she has read Chancellor Merkel's comments about this issue. For some time now, there has been a fairly lively debate across Europe on this issue. I have to say I am not a big fan of the agencies, particularly some of those based in the United States. Extraordinary accusations of corruption have been made against at least two of them. It has been suggested that they have been on both sides of deals. It is very hard to stomach the extraordinary and instant adjudications they make on whole nations. The recent change made by rating agencies in the case of Greece was hard to understand. While there is a great deal of discontent in Greece, no significant change has taken place from one day to the next. I believe that the sooner the EU gets on with the creation of the precise type of role mentioned by the Deputy, the better. While it would be very beneficial, it is a little way off. I do not want to be recorded simply as being against rating agencies, as they fulfil an important role. Some of them are very important. I mentioned my sense of discontent in this regard to an official from a rating agency when we made contact about its general operations. I am not an expert in this area. I agree with Deputy Tuffy that some form of international arrangement is needed. I have addressed the points made by Deputy Breen in this regard.
Deputy Breen raised a general issue about the EU's strategic partners, such as China, Japan and India. He was absolutely right to point out that India had not been mentioned. Last week, when we got a list of the locations in which the Union is currently represented and the numbers of staff in various countries, etc., it came as a big surprise to me to learn that Japan and Brazil are not among the top 25. India is probably outside the top 25 too. It is clear that Europe needs to have a much more mature relationship with countries that are developing rapidly, particularly China and Japan but also Brazil and other countries in South America and Central America. I am going to Argentina and Brazil later in the month. It is strange that Europe has not built on its substantial cultural and linguistic ties with Central America and South America. We have tended to say that such issues are most appropriate for Portugal or Spain, but they are issues for the whole of Europe. I am really surprised that we do not have more representatives in Japan.
I was also asked about Iceland's application to join the EU, which was made in July 2009. On 24 February last, the Commission provided a largely positive opinion or avis on the Icelandic application. The next step is for the Council to consider the Commission’s recommendations. I am conscious that the people of Iceland will make the final decision on this matter in a referendum.
I thank Deputy Mulcahy for the comments he made about Burma. I have mentioned previously that the Oireachtas has played a very interesting role with regard to the illegal detention of the Burmese leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. To the best of my knowledge, the Seanad was the first House of Parliament in any part of the world to enact unanimously a resolution of concern about her incarceration. That happened shortly after the incarceration started, which was a long time ago. This committee has played a commendable role too. As I indicated previously, the Government has sought a speaking point on Burma because this issue is of concern to all parties in both Houses, as represented on this committee.
I will be brief. The Chairman asked three questions. I agree with his point that although Europe as a whole and individual member states, including Ireland, are facing difficulties, we have to recognise that hundreds of millions of people throughout the world are living in immeasurably worse circumstances. I emphasise not only that the EU has a moral and ethical responsibility to help such people, but also that it is in Europe's long-term strategic interests to have a strong and robust development programme to assist them. If the imbalances in wealth between the rich northern hemisphere and the poorer southern hemisphere continue to exist, it is inevitable that they will have a strategic impact on the global stage. In other words, Europe will come under strategic pressure through increased immigration or a lack of availability of resources for its own development. Each of those issues is of strategic importance for Europe. It is important, in the European context, that the southern hemisphere develops in a sustainable way. As the Chairman mentioned, Europe is by a fair margin — over 50% — the biggest global donor of development aid.
I thank Deputy Seán Power for his comments on Haiti. A disaster of this scale could not have happened to a country that was less prepared or less well able to cope with it. The recent earthquake was the latest in a series of natural disasters to affect Haiti. Over recent years, it has suffered the consequences of hurricanes and bad rainfalls. As the poorest country in the northern hemisphere, Haiti was on its knees before this happened. I was asked about the role of Ireland and the EU in helping Haiti. We moved quickly when the earthquake struck. Ireland organised its largest ever airlift of humanitarian supplies. We used two large aircraft — a Hercules and a DC-10 — to bring over 100 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Haiti within seven days of the earthquake. We also deployed our rapid response corps, which we have developed over recent years specifically to deploy specialist people to disaster zones where they are urgently needed.
More importantly, perhaps, the Irish people moved quickly to help the people of Haiti. The Government contributed €13 million of taxpayers' money to the relief effort, whereas the ordinary people of Ireland separately made a much greater contribution through non-governmental organisations and aid agencies. Despite the difficult circumstances at home, the Irish people are being as generous as they always have been. I was asked how that can be demonstrated. It was evident in the many interviews that were done as airlifts landed and the rapid response corps started to work on the ground. I intend to visit Haiti in the coming months to learn about the impact Irish taxpayers' money has had on the ground and to try to convey that to Irish people at home.
Deputy Breen asked about the vitally important role of the EU in health promotion in Africa. The fourth, fifth and sixth millennium development goals, which relate to child mortality, maternal health and HIV-AIDS and other diseases, are very detailed and important. These health-related goals are central to any aid programme. At Council meetings of development Ministers, I have been making the case strongly on behalf of Ireland that we cannot deliver the health goals without a stronger focus on food security and hunger. A malnourished child between the ages of one and five who is given poor food and consequently suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals will be unable to achieve practically any of the goals. For example, he or she will not be able to develop mentally or intellectually in a way that will allow him or her to benefit from investment in proper education. We are constantly taking a leadership and advocacy role at EU level to ensure food security and hunger are placed at the very heart of the EU's development efforts.
I thank the Ministers of State. The points that were raised have been responded to. We are ad idem on the whole policy thrust that is being adopted. A few remaining items on our agenda have to be discussed.
The joint committee went into private session at 12.50 p.m. and adjourned at 1.05 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 18 May 2010.