I welcome the Tánaiste and his officials to our meeting. The Tánaiste will brief the committee on the main elements of the discussions and decision of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in the first quarter of 2013. He will also look towards the next meeting of the Council which will be on 22 April, which is not that far away. I know the Tánaiste has a very busy schedule and we are delighted that he is able to attend this meeting.
EU Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
I thank the Chairman and members of the committee. I welcome the opportunity to meet members and update them on discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in recent months. As ever, the Council has a busy agenda and we dealt with a wide range of issues at our meetings in January, February and March. We will be considering some of these again when we meet in Luxembourg next Monday.
During the past couple of years, the issue which has undoubtedly received the closest and most sustained attention from the Council has been the political transformations in the Middle East and north Africa linked to the Arab spring. While the crisis in Syria has understandably taken up much of our time, the Council has also addressed other issues in the region. At our January meeting, for example, we conducted an important stock take in relation to the overall EU strategy vis-à-vis the process of transition which is under way in many Arab societies.
A little over two years on from the popular uprisings which first took hold in Tunisia and Egypt in early 2011, any reasonable assessment must conclude that the process of change we are witnessing has been largely positive in its consequences for the region. Of course, there have been many challenges and setbacks, with the conflict in Syria clearly presenting a major threat to peace and stability in the region. However, this should not be allowed to overshadow the very real and positive changes we have seen, such as the holding of democratic elections in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen, effectively for the first time in most cases.
The EU, for its part, is committed to upholding key values, such as respect for human rights and the rule of law, in the efforts it is making to provide support and partnership to the countries undergoing transition.
The Middle East peace process was considered in some detail at both the January and February Councils. Ministers reviewed developments following the appointment of Mr. John Kerry as US Secretary of State and the Israeli elections held on 22 January. Injecting urgently needed momentum into the peace process and promoting the beginning of substantive negotiations between the two sides is a major priority for Ireland and the European Union as a whole. In the three meetings I have had so far with the US Secretary of State I have strongly encouraged him in his efforts to get peace talks relaunched and promote confidence-building measures on both sides, particularly on the part of the new Israeli Government. We must not ignore the continuing threats to the viability of the two-state solution and the increasingly narrow window of opportunity to make progress. The Council urgently needs to review progress, if any, since the strong conclusions it adopted last May on the peace process and key viability issues such as settlements, area C and the continuing blockade of Gaza. I hope it will be possible for such a review to take place next month at the May Council.
I must interrupt the Tánaiste. As votes have been called in both Houses, we must suspend the sitting.
Sitting suspended at 5.10 p.m. and resumed at 5.30 p.m.
At the February and March meetings, the Foreign Affairs Council also reviewed recent developments in Iraq, which occupies a pivotal position in the region. The political and security situation in Iraq is a cause for serious concern, with growing signs of sectarian tension and high levels of violence. The April Council will adopt conclusions urging greater efforts at dialogue and cross-community co-operation on the part of all parties in Iraq and also supporting increased political dialogue between the EU and Iraq.
High Representative Ashton is likely to brief us at next week's meeting on the most recent round of negotiations between the E3+3 and Iran, which took place in Almaty in Kazakhstan on 5 and 6 April. The overall level of progress made on this issue so far has been disappointing. Substantial differences remain between the E3+3 and Iran over the steps the Iranians must take to address our very serious concerns about the country's nuclear programme. No date has yet been set for the next round of talks. The reality is that the window for making progress is closing rapidly as the presidential elections in Iran, scheduled for June, draw ever nearer.
As I indicated earlier, the horrendous situation in Syria has dominated the Council's proceedings in recent months. It has been discussed at our three meetings so far this year as well as at the informal Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting that I co-hosted at Dublin Castle last month.
Next Monday's Council will give us an opportunity to review developments since the Dublin meeting and continue our reflection on how the European Union can most effectively contribute to promoting a political settlement. The scale of the humanitarian crisis raging in Syria and across the neighbouring region was brought home vividly to me when I visited a Syrian refugee camp on the Turkish-Syrian border during my visit to Turkey last week. Over 70,000 people have died, more than 1.3 million are now refugees and over 4 million in Syria need humanitarian assistance.
Ireland and the European Union have been to the fore in responding to this major humanitarian crisis. I was pleased to announce last week that Ireland was providing a further €1 million in assistance for the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNHCR operations in Turkey. This brings our total aid in the past year to €8.15 million. The generous and humane manner in which Syria's neighbours, particularly Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, have dealt with the huge outflow of refugees from Syria must be acknowledged repeatedly. The crisis is imposing major strain on hard-pressed resources and the ability of these countries to cope. It underlines the urgent need for progress in ending the violence and putting some form of political process in place to set Syria on the path to political transition.
The European Union wants to promote the earliest possible political settlement in Syria. All member states strongly support the efforts of the joint special representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, to find a political path forward based on the communiqué agreed in Geneva last June. Further violence would add to the misery and suffering in Syria and increase the real danger, emphasised by Mr. Brahimi when the Council met him last month, that Syria could collapse and possibly become a failed state in a highly volatile region. Discussions are continuing at Council level on how the European Union can most effectively promote a political solution and use its considerable influence in that direction. In February we renewed the full range of EU sanctions in place against the Assad regime in Syria for a period of three months. A further decision on their renewal will be taken at the May Council.
I have made clear on a number of occasions that Ireland does not favour any action which could contribute to greater militarisation of the conflict. This will continue to be our position. There can be little doubt about the growing influence of extremist groups on the ground in Syria. It is in all of our interests that the capacity in Syria for armed violence should not be augmented. Instead, we should work to promote the earliest possible end to the conflict and the initiation of a political transition. The UN Security Council can play a decisive role in supporting Mr. Brahimi's efforts and promoting a political settlement. Accordingly, I urge all Council members to exercise responsibility and leadership by adopting a strong new resolution that will address issues such as a comprehensive arms embargo and the need for accountability. Ireland firmly supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, to investigate comprehensively any possible use of chemical weapons in Syria.
The threat that the conflict in Syria poses to overall regional stability and security is abundantly clear. Lebanon has been hugely affected by the influx of some 300,000 Syrian refugees and outbursts of related violence in northern Lebanon. Next week the Council is likely to review developments in that country following the resignation of the former Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and the appointment of a new Prime Minister, Tammam Salam. We must ensure Lebanon which has suffered for too long from being in Syria's shadow can avoid being drawn directly into the conflict.
Mali has been a high priority on the Council's agenda since the crisis there began in March 2012. It was the subject of an extraordinary meeting on 17 January. It was also discussed at the scheduled meetings in January, February and March and at the informal meetings of EU Development and Defence Ministers held in Dublin in February. The response of the international community to the crisis has been strong and unified. The European Union has played a significant role in addressing the political, security, developmental and economic aspects of the crisis. It has been working to support the efforts of Mali's leaders and its people, in close co-ordination with regional partners and within the framework set out in a number of UN Security Council resolutions. A political transition roadmap, including a timetable for elections and a process of national reconciliation, is now in place. Our priority is to see the commitments made by the Malian parties fully implemented in order that Mali can return to peace and democracy quickly. If this is to happen, the security situation must be stabilised. This is being addressed through a combination of UN-backed international military interventions. The Malian armed forces, supported by an African-led mission, AFISMA, are at the heart of this effort. The European Union has established a training mission to train the Malian army in areas such as human rights and international humanitarian law. Ireland is contributing eight personnel to that effort. The European Union is also providing support for AFISMA. The European Union decided during this quarter to resume development co-operation with Mali on a gradual basis to support the transition process, preparations for elections and the restoration of essential services. The European Union's comprehensive approach spans the various transnational issues across the Sahel region. It also features a strong response to the humanitarian needs of the people of Mali and neighbouring regions and emphasises the need to protect human rights.
Somalia is another African country that has been the subject of regular Council discussion. The case of Somalia shows us how dangerous it can be when a state fails, as Somalia did in the early 1990s. Such failure can threaten peace and security in the region and the wider world, for example, by facilitating the growth and spread of terrorism, piracy and criminality. More positively, recent progress in Somalia shows that co-ordinated and comprehensive support and engagement from the international community, led in this case by the United Nations and the African Union and supported by the European Union and its member states, can help to end conflict, confront terrorism, criminality and human rights abuses and restore functioning governance institutions and service delivery.
After 20 years of anarchy and lawlessness, Somalia now has a unified national government, a President, a parliament and the basic structures of a state administration. The European Union has been a significant actor in helping to make this happen through a holistic and comprehensive approach which, as we are seeing in Mali, encompasses the full range of EU instruments. This includes the EU training mission for the Somalian army which has a significant Irish contingent and is commanded by an Irish officer, Brigadier General Gerard Ahern. The situation in Somalia remains fragile. There are real threats from the Al-Shabaab militia, including from terrorism originating outside Somalia. Many Somalian people are still in refugee camps and many more continue to live in unstable and conflict affected areas, particularly in the south of the country. Piracy remains a major challenge. Significant political challenges also remain. The rule of law and acceptable standards of human rights protection are far from being fully assured. A huge amount of work will be needed if Somalia is to become a functioning democracy.
Russia was the subject of a brief discussion at the January Council when the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, reported on the outcome of the EU-Russia summit held in Brussels on 20 and 21 December 2012. The summit saw positive developments in a number of areas, including technical and research co-operation and commitments on the Russian side to re-examine sensitive trade concerns. Less progress was achieved on the new agreement, energy issues, human rights and the situation in Syria. At the March Council Ministers engaged in a comprehensive discussion of the European Union's strategic relationship with Russia ahead of the discussion at that month's European Council. There was a shared understanding among Ministers on the need to fashion a stronger and more coherent approach to Russia to the benefit of both sides.
It was suggested at the March Council that the relationship with Russia should be neither complacent nor adversarial, given that the European Union is Russia's largest trading partner and Russia is the European Union's largest energy supplier. We work as partners in international forums in the pursuit of peace and security, including on Iran, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the Middle East peace process. The relationship is built on a complex institutional framework that enables both sides to engage in regular political dialogue. Russia is the only partner with which the European Union holds a summit in each Presidency. Co-operation has been further enhanced by the partnership for modernisation process which addresses economic and social issues, as well as the rule of law. As in any important relationship, there are issues where our interests and the values that define these interests differ. In March Ministers discussed how best to communicate to Russia in a frank and constructive manner our concerns about worrying developments in respect of political pluralism and human rights in that country.
The eastern neighbourhood policy will be discussed at next Monday's Council. Specifically, the progress made in the eastern partnership negotiations since the discussion in February will be reviewed.
The purpose of the eastern partnership is to provide a coherent framework for co-operation with the six European neighbourhood policy countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. In practical terms the eastern partnership means the conclusion of association agreements, AA, and free trade agreements, DCFTA, with each of the Eastern neighbourhood countries.
We had a comprehensive discussion in January on EU-US relations in the wake of President Obama's re-election and in particular on the priorities the EU should take forward with the new Administration. In this context, the proposed EU-US free trade agreement was identified as a key priority for 2013. I am pleased to report that significant progress has already been achieved with the decision of 13 February last by EU and US leaders to launch negotiations in the coming months. Last month, the European Commission agreed a draft negotiating mandate which is currently being considered by member states and on which we aim to reach agreement by the time of the June (Trade) FAC before the end of Ireland's Presidency. In this regard, both the Taoiseach and I took the opportunity during our recent visit to Washington DC for St. Patrick's Day to reiterate the Government's commitment, as EU Presidency, to work for approval of the negotiating mandate before the end of our Presidency.
Burma-Myanmar has undergone an important and long-awaited transformation in the past 18 months or so. My EU partners and I have been very encouraged by the manner in which the situation has greatly improved and Ireland has always remained ready to respond positively to genuine progress towards democratisation and respect for human rights. We do, however, recognise the need to encourage further reforms and address certain ongoing issues such as the status and welfare of the Rohingya and achieving a ceasefire in Kachin or in relation to political prisoners.
At the Foreign Affairs Council in April last year, my EU colleagues and I decided to suspend all sanctions, bar the arms embargo and the embargo on equipment which might be used for internal repression, against Burma. This decision was the result of protracted and complex negotiations. This suspension applies until 30 April 2013 and, therefore, we need to decide a further way forward at the forthcoming Foreign Affairs Council. It is proposed that the restrictive measures are not renewed after 30 April 2013, with the exception of the arms embargo and the embargo on equipment which might be used for internal repression. Ireland agrees with this proposal.
In recent months, I am pleased to announce that Ireland has accredited its first ambassador to Burma-Myanmar - our ambassador based in Hanoi presented his credentials to President Thein Sein on 28 January. It is expected that the Burma-Myanmar ambassador in London will present credentials to President Higgins later this year. We look forward to working towards developing good foundations for our bilateral relationship with Burma-Myanmar in a balanced way which addresses the need to foster trade and development links.
At the March Council, High Representative Ashton updated us on preparations for the EU Japan summit that had been scheduled to take place in Tokyo on 25 March. We also had a short discussion on the content of the draft joint statement. While the envisaged summit in Tokyo subsequently had to be postponed, it was agreed that the trade negotiations would commence this week.
Last July the European Commission asked the Council for a mandate to negotiate a free trade agreement, FTA, which it estimates has the potential to boost the economy of the EU by about 0.8% of gross domestic product. Ireland welcomes the opening of these negotiations. The aim of the free trade agreement would be a comprehensive agreement in goods, services and investment eliminating tariffs, non-tariff barriers and covering other trade-related issues, such as public procurement, regulatory issues, competition and sustainable development. The Trade Foreign Affairs Council in November 2012 agreed a negotiating mandate for the EU Commission to allow the formal opening of negotiations of an EU-Japan free trade agreement. Allied to these negotiations is that of a framework agreement, sometimes called a comprehensive agreement, which would deal with political dialogue and political co-operation as well as co-operation on regional and global matters.
Next Monday's Foreign Affairs Council meeting will consider the foreign policy dimension of the EU's energy policy, following on from a discussion last July and taking account of the energy security dimension to the High Representative's role. Issues relating to energy sources and supply routes will be a continuing factor in the EU's foreign and security policy so long as global energy demand continues to increase and supply continues to be concentrated in regions afflicted by political instability. The increase in tensions relating to access to the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year and the more recent targeting of the Amenas gas field in Algeria by Islamic militants, bear testimony to this.
I expect the discussion on Monday to focus specifically on issues relating to the Southern Gas Corridor, a strategic project to open a new gas supply route from the Caspian Sea area to the EU. This area holds the largest concentration of conventional gas resources, and could create an alternative to Russia gas imports to the EU. As a small peripheral European energy market it is of crucial importance for Ireland that the EU has a strong and co-ordinated policy on energy which safeguards supplies for all member states.
While not on the agenda of Monday's Foreign Affairs Council, it is my intention to bring to the attention of EU Foreign Ministers the important messages which emerged from this week's conference on hunger, nutrition and climate justice, which I hosted together with Mary Robinson. The Conference brought together representatives of communities facing the realities of rising food prices, failed crops and under-nutrition with global leaders, policy makers and scientists. We must ensure that our future policy approaches are firmly rooted in the reality of lives and in objective evidence of what has worked and what has not.
I would be happy to address any questions the committee might have.
I thank the Tánaiste for his presentation. He has a very comprehensive agenda for the meeting in Luxembourg on Monday. I am delighted he is bringing to the meeting the proposals agreed at the conference on hunger, nutrition and climate change. I also want to be associated with the humanitarian assistance given by Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. Turkey has an important role to play in the region as the Minister saw for himself last week. It is good that it has re-established diplomatic relations with Israel.
I also welcome the Tánaiste's very comprehensive statement. In regard to his concluding remarks, I welcome the fact that the conference on hunger, nutrition and climate change was successful and commend the Department and the Mary Robinson Foundation on their initiative in hosting the conference. We all welcome communiqués and declarations. It is the follow-up and the action, needed by so many international powers of major countries, that is vital.
In regard to World Trade Organization talks, trade is part of the Minister's brief. I note that the European Commissioner for trade is Commissioner de Gucht. Does the need to conclude a plenary level WTO agreement feature in the Council of Foreign Ministers in view of the fact that it is important for the developing countries and from a development co-operation point of view? We had the opportunity during Question Time on Holy Thursday to deal with most of the issues covered.
I wish to reflect on the situation in Syria. Some 70,000 lives have been lost and there are a million refugees. It is a desperate situation that needs the utmost consideration and whatever can be done must be done. I welcome the fact that the Minister has provided additional humanitarian aid. One of the concerns expressed by some of the groups who take a particular interest in that region is that the aid will not reach the people most in need. There have been allegations that the humanitarian aid has been going in disproportionate measures to supporters of the Assad regime. That is an important issue that should be dealt with and we need to get a message out that humanitarian aid provided by the taxpayer and the international community is reaching the people most in need and is not being abused by the supporters of one particular regime. Russia's role continues to remain crucial. Is there any sense of amelioration in its attitude? The Minister made a statement here which I welcome that: "Ireland does not favour any actions which could contribute to greater militarisation in the conflict." It is important to keep reiterating that particular view and policy of the Government and, hopefully, of the European Union also.
In regard to the Middle East peace process, I am pleased there has been a greater engagement by the US since President Obama's re-election.
Secretary of State, John Kerry, has visited the region three times since his recent appointment to his position. The European Union must continue to reiterate the need for genuine negotiations on a two-state solution and the involvement of the United States and the European Union in these negotiations is crucial. In the meetings with the Secretary of State, did he give the Tánaiste any indication of hope for advancing the process? It might not be possible for him to do that at this early stage, but I am sure that because of his long-standing interest in foreign relations and his long-standing work in Congress he gave some indication of his view.
With regard to EU-US relations and the proposed trade deal, we would welcome that. However, from the point of view of Ireland and the European Union, some vital areas need to be protected. I refer in particular to some of our food products, particularly beef.
I understand European Union enlargement is an issue that will be discussed at the next Foreign Affairs Council. An issue I raised previously has been brought to my attention again by some interest groups who are advocates for Bosnia. A message that has come across forcefully to me in correspondence and through phone calls is that Ireland should advocate that the European Union conduct a reassessment of its approach in Bosnia. These people state that the current strategy is not working, but I do not have the knowledge to say how accurate is their assessment or whether this view is common in other member states. One of the phrases in common use in statements from the Tánaiste and Department over the years concerns the importance of "local ownership". Representations made to me indicate that all significant power in Bosnia is concentrated among six political party leaders and it has been suggested these people are not accountable to their citizens. Is there any sense there is a need for a reassessment of European Union policy for that region? We are aware of the disastrous situation that pertained there in the 1990s and that political progress has not been made. This view comes across strongly from people and groups with a particular interest in that region. If it is not possible for the Tánaiste to give a comprehensive response on this today, will he return to the committee at some stage and outline his views and those of the Departments on any emerging trends in the European Union in this regard?
I will take questions from another member before calling on the Tánaiste to respond.
I wish the Tánaiste well in the negotiations and discussions to come. He faces a difficult task with regard to the areas he must cover and I wish him well. He began his speech by referring to the Middle East, the Palestinian situation in particular, and spoke about injecting urgently needed momentum into the peace process and discussions relating to it. A position was adopted at a Council meeting 12 months ago in the context of settlement goods and strong conclusions were reached. Now, 12 months later there have been announcements relating to a further escalation of settlement colonies. Does the Tánaiste believe it is time to return to the issue of the settlement goods and a potential ban on those goods? Is it possible that would bring about political momentum and raise awareness? What specific steps will Ireland take to build on the call for an EU-wide ban on settlement goods and how will it progress action at the May Foreign Affairs Council meeting?
With regard to Syria, the Tánaiste mentioned he went through some of the refugee camps in neighbouring countries. We are aware that prior to conflict breaking out in Syria, these countries had more than 1 million refugees from Iraq, Palestinian refugees and others. These populations now face a new phase of difficulties. The Tánaiste spoke about the use of chemical weapons and expressed concern that it is possible they will be used. Did the use of rape in the Syrian and other conflicts arise in discussions and will that issue be addressed? In the case of Syria in particular, rape continues to be used by both sides and seems to be an almost institutionalised method used to break prisoners. I presume this was part of the Tánaiste's discussion with refugees. What can Ireland do with regard to this? We can certainly condemn the use of rape, but are there any active measures we can take on it?
The Tánaiste spoke about the Irish Aid hunger-nutrition-climate justice conference. What specific actions can the Government take to follow up on its recommendations? The Tánaiste said he will raise the issue, but what specific recommendations will he put to the meeting in response to the challenges outlined by President Higgins in his opening address, which focused on the detrimental impact of large scale land acquisitions, biofuel production and speculation in food commodities?
The Tánaiste also spoke about the sectarian element that keeps breaking out in many areas of conflict. Many of the countries in question are moving from secular societies towards fundamentalism. Is there any policy with regard to support for those groups looking for change? Have we a view on that? What I would like to see emerging in many of these areas is a secular society where people are not discriminated against because of their religion, their gender, their sexual orientation or the colour of their skin. Will this issue ever be discussed on the agenda of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in Europe?
With regard to the multiannual financial framework, MFF, negotiations to ensure that member states renew their commitment to 0.7% of GNI in aid, how will these commitments be met? What matters will be raised in that regard?
There is enough material in those questions for another long speech, but I will try to be brief. I thank Deputies Smith and Crowe for their compliments regarding the hunger-nutrition-climate justice conference and they both asked what we will do to carry forward on that. This was a very different conference because we designed it so there would be participation by people from grassroots level in developing countries like Malawi and we could bring together smallholders and people working on farms - some 80% of which were headed by women - and we linked together the themes of climate justice, hunger and nutrition.
We can talk about these issues at international conferences which are based on expert reports and scientific research, but this conference was an opportunity to talk about these issues through the lens and eyes of people experiencing the issues directly in their daily lives and that was the strength of the conference. The responsibility Ireland has taken on as a country arising from the conference is that we will take the messages from that conference to the international community. I will take those messages next Monday to the Foreign Affairs Council. We are also working with the United Kingdom and a number of agencies to put together a nutrition summit in London.
In June we will take the issue there. We are involved in a meeting with the United States and with Concern in Washington which will feed into the G8 summit, due to take place in Fermanagh in June. We are also going to use what we learned at that conference to influence our approach to the review of the millennium development goals. A high-level event will take place at the United Nations General Assembly in September on that review. Ireland has responsibility for this at the moment and my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, is chairing the group of EU development ministers preparing for the review. This is highly significant because over 50% of all the development aid money in the world comes from the EU so its role in regard to development aid and how it is directed and the things that are addressed is very important. That is how we intend to continue that work.
Deputy Smith asked about the Foreign Affairs Council and trade. There is a trade formation of the Foreign Affairs Council, which is attended by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, and separately, there is a development formation of the Foreign Affairs Council, which the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, attends. There is very close co-operation between the two in respect of trade issues as they affect developing countries.
In response to Deputy Smith's comments, when I was in Geneva recently I discussed with the head of the Red Cross some of the practical difficulties in getting aid through to the people who need it in Syria. We work with several NGOs, one of which is GOAL, whose current head is the former Minister, Barry Andrews. He was in Syria recently and I spoke with him after his visit. It is doing a lot of work in that regard and we talked about some of the difficulties faced by the organisation. I had the opportunity when I was in Turkey of discussing that issue with the foreign Minister and the people I met there. We continue to maintain discussions with Russia in respect of its approach to Syria. It is encouraging that President Putin has spoken recently about a willingness to suspend all arms sales to Syria, and bilaterally and through the European Union we are continuing to maintain dialogue with Russia on this issue.
On the Middle East peace process, there is once again a window of opportunity. The American elections are over and there is a new government in Israel. I have had three discussions with the American Secretary of State, John Kerry, about this and I am greatly encouraged by his willingness to make a renewed effort and initiative in the Middle East peace process. It is important to say that we do not want to create false expectations in respect of what may happen. There have been many false dawns with regard to peace talks in the Middle East and some of those who have participated in them will say that for 20 years there have been talks happening or about to happen, yet nothing happens. The Secretary of State has a very realistic approach to what may or may not be achieved. The important point is that he and President Obama have been willing to engage in this. In Turkey last week I spoke with the Turkish foreign minister, Mr. Davutolu, who had also just met the Secretary of State to discuss his next visit to the Middle East. The European Union, through the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, has been very much involved in this. There is renewed effort on the part of the European Union, the United States, Turkey and other interested countries - the Quartet - to make progress in the Middle East. It is important that we are realistic about it and that, while the effort is made, false hopes are not created.
In respect of the EU-US trade deal, we have to get agreement on the negotiating mandate and we hope that will happen at the trade formation of the Foreign Affairs Council in June. Nobody is under any illusion about the difficulty of concluding an agreement when we get into the detail on a sectoral basis and the regulations on both sides of the Atlantic. There is a very important ambition here and we know there is huge potential to expand the economies of the European Union and the United States in respect of that trade deal. One of the issues I discussed in Turkey was the customs union agreement between Turkey and the EU. It is important to include that dimension of the transatlantic arrangement in the discussions.
Ireland supports Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU perspective and we welcome the fact that this was reaffirmed in the December 2012 Council conclusions on enlargement. It is, however, important to remember that enlargement is a conditional process. Prospective EU members must implement the reforms and meet the criteria required. There can be no exemptions or special conditions for any country. The Bosnian Government and political leaders must make real and sustained progress in order to realise the country's EU perspective. What is required is clearly laid out in the December Council conclusions and in the June 2012 roadmap agreed by the Commission and Bosnia and Herzegovina's leaders. Unfortunately, the timetable for implementing the roadmap has slipped. Štefan Füle, the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, was in Bosnia and Herzegovina last week to underline to their institutional and political leaders how urgent it is to implement the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Sejdi and Finci. He had originally planned to hold a meeting of the high level dialogue on EU accession but cancelled this due to lack of progress on implementation of the Sejdi and Finci ruling. This lack of progress is frustrating. While we will do everything in our power to encourage movement on the path to EU integration, this is ultimately a matter for the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU can encourage Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue their efforts on reform but it cannot impose a solution. I note that the EU is due to review its policy on Bosnia and Herzegovina in September of this year with a view to examining what further progress can be made.
I spoke about some of the issues Deputy Crowe mentioned, particularly Syria and the climate justice conference, in my earlier contributions.
I will give the Minister a break and bring in a couple more speakers. He can answer Deputy Crowe's questions later.
I welcome the Minister. I know that he welcomed the opportunity to visit Turkey last week and to enhance trade and cultural relations with Turkey. He has acknowledged the important role that Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq are playing in the Syrian crisis and in accommodating refugees from Syria. I thank those countries too. I recently visited Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, which was an eye-opening experience. The Turkish Government and people daily demonstrate their generosity and humanity in providing support to their Syrian neighbours caught up in the conflict.
The Minister referred to issues around settlements, Area C and the Gaza blockade and the very strong Foreign Affairs Council statement on those issues last May. That was 12 months ago, yet we are still in a state of suspended animation in regard to the process.
The Minister has indicated he is hopeful there is a window of opportunity emerging, given that the elections in Israel and the US are completed. I note he has engaged comprehensively with the Secretary of State, John Kerry, in regard to the Middle East peace process. Time is of the essence and it is not on our side. There is an opportunity which will only happen once in a generation to deal comprehensively with some of the issues. There is a necessity for the United States to be involved and to provide an initiative. Will the Minister agree there is also an opportunity, as the European external action service evolves, for the European Union to play a much stronger enhanced role in moving the process forward? We have a moral and ethical responsibility to engage as best and as forcefully as we can.
I refer to Deputy Crowe's remarks about settlement produce which is an issue of concern to the committee. The Minister has stated his position with regard to settlement produce. What are the prospects for an Irish ban on settlement produce or an EU-wide ban? There is conflicting legal advice on the capacity of individual states and the European Union to operate such a ban. However, it is the firm view of this committee that it would send a very strong signal to Israel about the position being taken by the Irish people and by this committee.
I will not go back over some of the points raised by other speakers. I was able to attend the conference in Dublin Castle for most of the two days. The speech given by President Michael D. Higgins on Monday morning set the tone for the conference. It was a most powerful and passionate speech on inequality. He did not mince his words as to where the fault lies. The big powers must be taken on board if we are to address the issue of equality and inequality.
The conference heard from local community voices such as those of fishermen, farmers, pastoralists and women. They are amazing people considering what they are dealing with in their countries. Their desire for and achievement of empowerment is very powerful. The other message at the conference was that without the political will, no amount of empowerment will achieve anything. It was notable to hear from speakers from all the global organisations, including former US Vice President, Al Gore, that Ireland is held in great respect.
I accept what the Minister says about overseas development aid but we cannot give with one hand and take away with the other. I refer to his commitment to a 5% cap on bio-fuels. This needs to be taken on board right across Europe because otherwise we are undermining what happened at that conference yesterday. The President's speech was also very forceful about the small number of companies that control certain commodities such as food and confectionery. I mentioned the tax issue previously and I know positive moves are being made. I hope these will go further. If the conference is to have any meaning, we have to be very proactive in what we want from it.
Earlier today the committee had a very disturbing presentation from a member of the lesbian and gay community in Uganda. The presentation highlighted the need for careful and considered diplomacy. Ireland is good at such diplomacy. I ask if we can promote this careful and considered diplomacy with regard to gay rights in Uganda. The committee recently had a presentation from a group from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was frightening to hear about the increase in incidences of rape of young girls and women and also of young boys and young men. Can these issues be raised by means of careful and considered diplomacy with government leaders in those countries? The armies in those countries are involved in these crimes of rape. It could be because the soldiers are not being paid. In my view, there are plenty of dots to be joined up.
The Minister referred to the positive aspects of the Arab Spring but there are very disturbing accounts coming from those countries of the disimprovement in the status of women. Instead of access to education and employment and the right to go where they please, the situation for women is worse since the Arab Spring. I would not like us to lose sight of that reality.
I refer to the positive moves with regard to Cuba. A US delegation recently visited the country. The delegation made the point that the US does not wish to deal with a one-party state but it is very happy to trade with Vietnam which is also a one-party state. I do not see why the policy cannot be applied to Cuba. I ask if Ireland can play a supportive role with regard to Cuba. The Labour Party supported it in the past.
Some of the issues raised by Deputy O'Sullivan may not be on the agenda for the Council meeting.
I welcome the Minister. I have about five questions but I will try to hit the nail on the head and stop the waffle. The Minister mentioned the Arab Spring, the wonderful revolutions in the Arab world. Is he conscious of the reputed difficulties being experienced by the Coptic Christians in Egypt? I refer to US Secretary of State, John Kerry's visit to the Holy Land and to Israel. We have met with Arab Christian leaders of the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox religions. They were very unimpressed by the Secretary of State's presence in Israel, in so far as they were of the view that he was reinforcing the concept of the Jewish State. As Arab Christians, they feel terribly under threat and their populations are being squeezed out. They believe they are deemed to be second-class citizens in the Jewish state. Is the Minister aware of the concerns of the Coptic Christians?
The Gaza strip is currently controlled by Hamas which is imposing an Islamic form of education including the segregation of boys and girls at a certain age. This is being done in the interest of establishing the cultural rights of those who believe in Islam. The Jews are creating a Jewish State, an Islamic region is being created in the Gaza strip and the Christians - Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox - are feeling very squeezed out.
The Minister's comments about Russia are very interesting. He said that less progress was achieved on the new agreement centred around energy and human rights:
However, as in any important relationship, there are issues where our interests, and indeed the values that define those interests, differ, and in March, Ministers discussed how best to communicate to Russia, in a frank and constructive manner, its concerns about worrying developments in respect of political pluralism and human rights within the country.
This morning the committee was addressing the Magnitsky case. We asked for an opinion from the Russian ambassador. I will read the a portion of the response we received from him:
Unfortunately, the group of parliamentarians who initiated consideration of questions concerning the Magnitsky Act at the Irish Parliament took for a basis only naked assertions by the person who committed a number of economic crimes in the territory of the Russian Federation. This approach certainly will not enrich bilateral Russian-Irish relations and can have negative influence on the negotiations on the adoption agreement between Russia and Ireland being progressed.
When we discuss a human rights issue like the Magnitsky case we are not attacking Russia per se. We are dealing with a human rights issue. It might be appropriate for the witnesses to convey to the Russians that, as parliamentarians, we take an interest in human rights issues across the globe.
The conference on hunger, nutrition and climate justice was important. I attended most of it and renewed contacts with many people from around the world, including people from Afghanistan, a woman from Niger whose interest is in the pastoralists, cattle people travelling across Niger, Nepalese from the villages in the middle of the jungle, and Mongolians who almost got lost on the way to the Cliffs of Moher but arrived back safely. I renewed contact also with Masai tribespeople whom I knew when I lived in Africa, and the pastoralists who are very concerned about their rights in terms of moving cattle across land owned either by the state or game reserves.
In terms of where we go from here, it was a remarkably successful conference. Everyone who attended was in awe of the work being done both by the Tánaiste's Ministry and Mary Robinson. Many of the debates were on where we go from here and the issue of the millennium goals, which will expire in 2015. We are examining the European development budget and the question of the United Nations starting a new round of development goals. I congratulate the witnesses on their intention to bring to the attention of the foreign ministers the important messages that emerged from the conference. They are now doing what the pastoralists and the advocates for the hungry and the poor wanted raised through the various political tiers. I thank them for that.
Senator David Norris
I am pleased to welcome the Tánaiste and to congratulate him on a number of successes, including the hunger, nutrition and climate justice conference. I have a question on that. I was not able to attend the conference - I was abroad - but I am very interested in it. Was the issue of population raised at the conference, because it underlies everything? People are notoriously shy about raising it, partly because religious leaders of various kinds seem to want to assert the dominant right to breed more members for their various creeds. The world population is the single most dramatic change in my lifetime, and it underlies all these issues. When I was in Trinity it was 3 billion. By the time I will have croaked it, it will probably be 9 billion. That is a threefold increase in one short human lifetime. The planet cannot sustain it. It is no wonder there are water shortages, tensions over other resources and so on. Regardless of what way people massage the issue, the planet cannot support that number of people.
I am delighted when I hear of a decline in the population in Europe and North America, the advanced countries, because we are the ones that do the most damage and are the most greedy for resources. That is not an anti-sub-Saharan Africa position; it is much better when the numbers go down. Was there any prominent mention of that, because the UN global population report never once in my experience ever mentioned that? Female genital mutilation, the education of local tribal people and civilians caught up in conflict are very important issues, but they do not mention population, and it is so important.
Deputy Crowe has reminded me about the situation in Syria where there are more than 1 million refugees. The report to us speaks passionately about that. Apparently, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, has replied to a parliamentary question submitted by Deputy Crowe to the effect that we will resettle 30 Syrian refugees in Ireland in 2013. Are the witnesses aware of the progress that has been made in that matter?
Coming from the climate conference it is a great tribute to the former President, Mary Robinson, that she has been appointed to this significant position with regard to the Great Lakes region, including the Congo in particular. Can the Tánaiste give any indication as to the degree of support we will be able to give her there, because it is very important? This committee, and the Seanad, have passed resolutions on violence, particularly sexual violence, in areas like the Congo.
I am glad the issue of Uganda was raised. It was an impressive report from a young woman who has been threatened. She was a friend of David Kato of Front Line Defenders who some of us met in Dublin Castle. He was subsequently murdered at the instigation of the media and the Christian churches in that country. I know there is a problem in Britain at the moment, which was referred to by Deputy Crowe also, but I remember dealing with a number of cases, for example, where under the former Administration, not the Tánaiste's Government, people were sent back to Iran by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal on the basis that they could hide their sexuality. People were returned to Iraq and Nigeria or other such countries on the basis that if they chose the right part of the country, they could survive reasonably well. I would hate to think this would happen here. Are there any such cases? What is the status here and what would be the Government's attitude, because it is crystal clear that people are being murdered in Uganda as a result of their sexual orientation? I commend the Tánaiste on the brave work he has done in this area and I encourage him to continue it.
There might be a possibility, since the Papal Nuncio is the doyen of the parliamentary-----
Chairman
Senator, Uganda will not be on the agenda next week.
Senator David Norris
Okay. In that case I will leave it. I am glad the Chairman reminded me of that but the Tánaiste might not erase what I said from his memory.
The United States is a great ally and so on. I have great feelings of warmth towards the United States but it is a very hybrid place, particularly in the view of what constitutes human rights. It has been disappointing to see the Obama Administration not living up to the claims that were made by it beforehand. In particular, what does the Tánaiste think about the complete suspension of the right to trial by the United States in its foreign adventures, particularly the use of drone attacks? Will any attempt be made by the European Union, Ireland or another country to indicate that the assassination of groups of people in the hopes of hitting somebody who is associated with al-Qaeda or those sort of people is not-----
Chairman
It is EU-US trade relations that is on the agenda.
Senator David Norris
Trade relations and foreign affairs are all the same. That is what we are told. That is the reason we are all mixed up together. This is a very important point and I ask the Tánaiste if there is comfort in Europe at the idea that people can be taken out by a decision in a basement in the White House on a Tuesday morning or whenever, and it does not matter if they are women or children.
My final question is on Palestine, Israel and the questioning of labelling. The Tánaiste explained his difficulties previously and I think he indicated that he might be able to consider the question of labelling. Has there been any advance in that regard?
Senator Jim Walsh
I apologise to the Tánaiste for coming in and out of the meeting but the Seanad has been busy with votes. I welcome the Tánaiste and compliment him on the positive stand he and our ambassador to the UN took regarding the arms trade treaty. I very much welcome his commitment to the ratification of that treaty. In terms of much of what is contained in his report, there are implications for the arms trade treaty vis-à-vis conflict areas and people being persecuted.
In his address the Tánaiste spoke about Tunisia, Egypt, the Middle East in general and the positive effects of the Arab Spring. Deputy Byrne alluded to the Coptic Christians in Egypt, and we have seen that on our television screens.
Right across those countries, many religious minorities have been persecuted or killed. Many have had to flee their countries. I do not get a sense that this ranks as high on our priority list as the gay issue. It should because it represents a very significant breach of human rights. Religious freedom and freedom of conscience comprise one of the fundamental human rights issues. I do not get any sense that this is being accorded the priority it should be accorded. I agree with Senator Norris. We talked about Uganda today. Members of this committee were concerned about the manner in which homosexuals are being treated there but I would like to see the same emphasis on small minority Christian communities that have been living in the Middle East for over 2,000 years.
I wish to raise the issue of Syria, particularly the need to have a negotiated agreement there. Deputy Nash raised the question of Lebanon, which is badly affected. We saw at first hand the circumstances there. I am appalled by the manner in which refugees from Syria are being disadvantaged in Lebanon and by the strain this is putting on the whole Lebanese structure. It has the potential to cause instability, which the Tánaiste recognises. The message we got from the people is that a negotiated settlement is the way to go; otherwise there will be protracted conflict within Syria, which will have a fallout effect in neighbouring countries, and particularly for Palestinians, a persecuted minority in the area.
I very much welcome the fact that the Tánaiste is encouraging the US Secretary of State John Kerry to try to do something more constructive than has been done in recent years by the United States in Israel. As rightly stated, there is a window of opportunity, but it is narrowing, as identified. Many people we meet are concerned about the potential for a two-state solution given what is happening. We have supported the right of the Palestinians to their homeland. We had religious leaders in Leinster House last week and we met them informally. One of the issues they identified was the need for progress to be made. Deputy O’Sullivan was beside me at the informal meeting. The leaders showed maps of Palestinian lands in the years 1948, 1967 and today. The area has been whittled down to very little. I respect fully that there is a need in a negotiated settlement to recognise the rights of Israel to have secure borders and to have its citizens protected. However, the latter should not continue to be an excuse for the taking of no action.
Deputy Byrne raised the Sergei Magnitsky case. At EU level, what is happening with regard to that case? It seems there is a very serious and fundamental breach of human rights. Much of what happened in resect of the case is of concern to civil society in Russia. Magnitsky was a lawyer. We talk a lot at meetings of this committee-----
The case will not be dealt with at the Council meeting on Monday.
I am just asking the Tánaiste what is happening at EU level in regard to it. Is it up for discussion as part of the bilateral discussions with Russia? This is very pertinent given our interest in the case.
The final issue I wish to raise concerns Iraq and Iran. At a dinner three years ago at which Mr. Dick Cheney was present, I had the opportunity to raise the Iraq-Iran situation. Mr. Cheney conceded that Iran was a bigger threat than Iraq. The intervention by the United States and the United Kingdom in Iraq was strongly criticised by many Members in these Houses. The states that intervened now have a responsibility not to leave Iraq as the basket case it seems to be turning into. Many Members present, including some of my colleagues, predicted this would happen. I ask that this be pursued at EU level because there is an absolute responsibility on the United States and the United Kingdom to ensure Iraq is left in at least no worse a condition than it was in when they entered or, if possible, a better condition.
Deputy Crowe asked about the MFF negotiations. We are having discussions with the European Parliament and Commission. I was in Brussels last week and there was an informal meeting with representatives of the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council, under the Irish Presidency, on the MFF. We intend to have further discussion at the meeting of the General Affairs Council next week and a further round of discussions with both the Parliament and Commission.
There are major issues we have to overcome, including the Parliament's approach to the MFF itself. Also of concern is the 2013 budget. The budget proposed for development assistance represents an increase on the previous allocation. The figure is not as high as originally proposed by the Commission but, given that the Union, as an institution, and the member states allocate over 50% of all development aid in the world, it is very high. We are working on this and it is a great priority for us. There will be a lot of work. I will be happy to report further on it, probably to the Joint Committee on European Affairs or this one.
Tackling the issues of rape in conflict, violence against women and girls, and gender-based violence is a long-standing priority for Ireland. Rape is a terrible violation of human rights. The issue is raised regularly by us at multilateral fora and directly with states. We provide direct support for tackling the issue through Irish Aid.
The issue of settlements and settlement produce was raised by Deputy Crowe and a number of others. I wrote to this committee last November setting out in detail my view on settlement goods. I support the view that place-of-origin labelling should not allow settlement goods to be misrepresented as coming from Israel or as being Palestinian, as the case may be. My Department has carried informal advice on these lines on its website for some years. I am considering how formal voluntary guidelines might be issued. Ideally it would be at EU level. There is work taking place on this. With a group of colleagues, I recently wrote to Baroness Ashton to welcome her initiative in proposing to produce EU labelling guidelines and to encourage her in that regard. She has written to member states setting out proposals in regard to guidelines that could be applied at EU level. I am involved in consultation with other Departments on how we might address this. Progress is being made on it.
Deputy Crowe asked about the referral of Syria to the International Criminal Court. We have asked the UN Security Council to refer the issue of Syria to the ICC and inform the court to carry out an investigation. We want to put down a strong marker that there will have to be accountability for the slaughter in Syria and the huge abuse of human rights there. I jointly wrote an article with the foreign Ministers of Austria, Denmark and Slovenia pressing for this and it was carried widely in the international media.
On the issue of the May conclusions on the Middle East peace process, the Foreign Affairs Council intends to discuss that process at the May Council meeting. It will review what has happened since the conclusions were drawn up last year. I have been urging this for some time. It has been Ireland's view, which I have consistently argued for at the Foreign Affairs Council, that the EU should be taking a leading role on the Middle East peace process. The EU is in a position to do that and we are less dependent on the electoral cycle than, for example, the United States. The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, and I had quite a long discussion about ways in which the EU and US can co-operate in the approach we are taking to the Middle East peace process. We can have a more active role by the EU and a more co-ordinated role with the US. As we all know, however, it is a problem that has been intractable for a long time. The important things are the commitment and the political will, which I know exists, to try to address it in a serious and consistent way.
A number of Deputies raised the issue of the rights of gay people, with particular reference to Uganda. The debate on LGBTI rights remains polarised at international level. In some countries, the rights of LGBTI persons are met with outright opposition, in some cases with absolute disdain, sometimes on cultural and religious grounds. Ireland has played its part in promoting those rights.
In June 2011, the UN Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 1719 on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity. That was an historic achievement and the first time the UN had voted to state explicitly that the protection afforded by human rights law applied also to LGBTI persons. Although Ireland was not a member of the Human Rights Council at that time, we were engaged in drafting the resolution and co-sponsoring it.
As part of our EU Presidency we are working to develop new EU guidelines on the rights of LGBTI persons. These guidelines will guide the work of the EU and its member states internationally to promote the rights of LGBTI persons. Our embassies overseas are also active in supporting the work with human rights defenders who are active on the issue. We have also made it a priority for our work on the Human Rights Council.
Specifically with regard to Uganda, when I was there last year, I discussed this matter with the Ugandan Government and directly with President Museveni. I understand that legislation is proposed but it is what we would call Private Members' legislation. At that stage it seemed to be stalled somewhat in the parliamentary process but it is something on which we are keeping an active eye.
Senator Walsh raised the issue of religious freedom and freedom of belief in that context. Ireland has made, and continues to make, freedom of religion and belief a priority issue. In March this year, the EU proposed a successful resolution on freedom of religion and belief at the UN Human Rights Council and Ireland actively supported that. The resolution renewed the mandate of the UN's special rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief. The EU is also working on new guidelines on freedom of religion and belief to guide efforts internationally.
In respect of our own national position, during our chairmanship of the OSCE last year, we paid particular attention to the issue of freedom of religion and belief. In both our candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council and our work therein, it is a priority for us. In that context, the issue of Coptic Christians and other minority religions in Arab countries is one of great concern. As Deputy Crowe said, we are looking at a situation where the secular approach to governance in some of those countries is being diminished. This matter has been discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council.
In addition, there are a number of issues which we need to examine as tests on this dimension. One is the issue of freedom of religion and belief, and the treatment of minority religions. The second is the position of women in those societies. According to reports we are getting from some countries, while progress is being made on holding elections and related issues of democratisation, there are worrying developments concerning the position of women in those societies. That will be a litmus test for how those societies develop.
Some members of this committee had a meeting with Ms Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, to which Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan referred. Officials from my own Department met with Ms Nabagesera in Iveagh House this morning, along with Mr. Colm O'Gorman and his colleagues from Amnesty International. They had a very useful exchange. Ms Nabagesera and her colleagues also support the approach that the Government and our embassy in Kampala have been taking on the issue.
Deputy Eric Byrne raised the issue of Palestinian Christians. I know that the Chairman of the joint committee, Deputy Pat Breen, met a delegation of Christian leaders from Palestine last Monday. The Middle East unit of my Department also had a long and interesting discussion with them. The central message we took from that meeting was that Palestinian Christians are suffering from the same occupation policies as the wider Palestinian community. They include pressure on individuals and communities as well as a lack of economic opportunity. These are issues on which Ireland has strongly focused and I am conscious of their impact on Christians.
The Magnitsky case was raised by Deputy Byrne and other members of the joint committee. I do not want to comment on communications between the committee and our ambassadors, because that is really a matter for the committee and the embassies concerned.
However, I can tell members that I did raise the case of Sergei Magnitsky at the Foreign Affairs Council and have argued that this is an issue that should remain on the agenda at the highest political level in the European Union's relationship with Russia, including the summit with Russia, which takes place during every Presidency. The decision last month by the investigative committee of the Russian Federation to close the criminal investigation into his death is highly regrettable. I share of the strongly-worded concerns which were expressed by Catherine Ashton on this issue and I call on the Russian authorities to reopen the investigation. I find ghoulish the posthumous trial of Mr. Magnitsky that has been taking place in Moscow. I believe this issue should remain an important element in the European Union's relationship with Russia.
On the issue of Syrian refugees to Ireland that was raised by Senator Norris, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, has had discussions with his German counterpart about this issue. Germany and in particular, my colleague the foreign minister, Mr. Westerwelle, have been particularly active in encouraging European Union member states to accept Syrian refugees. Clearly, this is a matter for the Minister, Deputy Shatter, and his Department and the Senator has the reply to the parliamentary question to which he has referred.
On the issue of Iraq raised by Senator Walsh and a number of colleagues, it would indeed be a tragedy were the genuine progress made by Iraq to be lost. It is hugely important for that region that there is a stable Iraq. I believe there is a need for a more high-level dialogue on the part of the European Union with the Iraqi Government and Prime Minister Maliki. For all its current problems, Iraq has come a long way since 2003. As for what the European Union is doing to assist Iraq, since 2003 more than €1 billion of aid has been provided by the European Union to Iraq. Last year, the European Union's relations with Iraq were formalised in a partnership and co-operation agreement and as I noted earlier, I expect it is an issue we will be addressing at the Foreign Affairs Council next week. While I believe I have covered most of the points, members should let me know if-----
Population.
Yes, we discussed the issue of population on Monday and Tuesday. As Senator Norris himself has made the point, by 2050 the population of the world will have grown to approximately 9 billion people, which constitutes a tripling of the world population if one frames its within one's own lifetime. At a practical level and where the issue was relevant to our conference, it is estimated that it will require an increase of approximately 60% in agricultural production and food production to feed that population by 2050.
It is more relevant than biofuels.
Indeed, yes. On the other hand, it also is estimated that the effects of climate change will wipe out one quarter of the world's agricultural produce over the same period. Consequently, it is pretty clear that the issues of population, climate and of course hunger and nutrition are highly interconnected. This is the reason we decided to pull them together. Our intention now is to carry that forward and to shape European policy in the first instance and to shape the review of the millennium development goals.
Has the Tánaiste given any consideration to the question of the use of drones? I refer to drone attacks in Afghanistan and so on.
I take the view that the rights of people, that is, human, democratic and civil rights, are universal. The approach the Government takes at the United Nations Human Rights Council is that irrespective of what country or who is involved, the universality of these rights is solid. Ireland stood for election to the aforementioned council last year and was highly successful and was elected with a clear mandate. It was on the basis that Ireland has an evenhanded, independent and clear view about these issues.
People are entitled to a free trial.
Yes indeed, everywhere.
I thank the Tánaiste for his attendance and for answering all the questions comprehensively today, even though some of them may not have been on the agenda or will not be on the agenda for the meeting next Monday. I wish the Tánaiste well at the meeting in Luxembourg next Monday and thank him for working with the joint committee in recent years and hopefully this will continue. I wish the Tánaiste and his officials well during the remainder of their time holding the European Union Presidency. I also thank the officials for the support they provided to the joint committee during the preparations for the recent interparliamentary conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP, and the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP.
In the absence of any other business, before I conclude the meeting the joint committee probably should send a letter to the chargé d'affaires at the United States Embassy, Mr. John Hennessey-Niland, to express members' sympathy in the wake of the recent Boston bombings. That is important in the context of the horrible attacks that killed three people and injured 140 people. I am sure the joint committee will agree to do that. Is that agreed? Agreed.
While I support that proposal, I ask that the Chairman sent a similar note to the Iraqi representatives in respect of the 30 people who were killed in bomb attacks on the same day.
Okay; that is fine.
The joint committee will now adjourn until 24 April, when it will meet representatives of University College Cork's centre for global development, which is that university's main vehicle for its global strategy. I ask Members of the Dáil to remain behind because a select committee meeting with the Tánaiste will convene here in approximately ten minutes or as quickly as possible.
The joint committee adjourned at 7 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 24 April 2013.