Written Answers Nos. 29-36
29. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised the issue of the proposed bill of rights in Northern Ireland as specified under the Good Friday Agreement with the Northern Secretary of State and Northern Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15602/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra33. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in view of the fact that we are a year on from the joint statement from An Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, he will detail the outstanding issues yet to be implemented in the Good Friday and St. Andrews agreements; and the actions taken by the Government to ensure its full implementation. [15536/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 33 together.
The Government remains firmly committed to ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Good Friday and St. Andrew’s Agreements.
In contacts with the British government, we continue to stress the importance of implementation of all aspects of the Agreement, including of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland which takes account of the separate and specific context of Northern Ireland. We continue to urge all the parties in the Assembly to engage in constructive discussion with a view to reaching agreement on the substance of a Bill of Rights. A Bill of Rights drawn up by agreement between the main parties of the Assembly could set out precisely and formally the rights upon which a shared future for the people of Northern Ireland can be based.
All parties to the Good Friday Agreement recognised the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including in Northern Ireland, the Irish language and the languages of the various ethnic communities, as part of the cultural wealth of the island of Ireland. In the St Andrews Agreement, the British government committed to introducing an Irish Language Act reflecting on the experience of Wales and Ireland and to working with the Executive to enhance and protect the development of the Irish Language.
It also called on the incoming Northern Ireland Executive to work to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language. The British legislation giving effect to the St. Andrews Agreement included a specific requirement on the Executive to adopt a strategy setting out how it proposed to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language.
Since the restoration of the devolved Institutions on 8 May 2007, the question of an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. In that regard, my colleagues the Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Mr Jimmy Deenihan T.D. and Minister of State Dinny McGinley T.D. have had ongoing discussions on the matter with their counterpart, the Northern Ireland Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA. On 11 July 2012, Minister Ní Chuilín launched a consultation process which concluded on 27 November on strategies for the Irish language and Ulster Scots. Inputs from the consultation process are now being considered.
Last November I visited An Chultúrlann in Belfast which is a very impressive Irish language and cultural centre. I had the opportunity to meet with some of the city’s leading Irish language activists and to hear their concerns regarding the promotion of the Irish language including their views on an Irish language act for Northern Ireland. Officials in my Department maintain regular and ongoing contact with the Irish language community in Northern Ireland, most recently when they attended the official opening of Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail in Newry on Monday 18 February.
The Government continues to follow developments closely in relation to the proposed Act, as well as the overall enhancement and protection of the Irish Language in Northern Ireland.
The Good Friday Agreement also provided for the establishment of a Consultative Civic Forum as a consultative mechanism in Northern Ireland on social, economic and cultural issues. The St Andrews Agreement provided that the Northern Ireland Executive would support the establishment of an independent North/South Consultative Forum appointed by the two administrations and representative of civil society. In September 2008 the Irish Government submitted proposals for the role, format, membership and operation of a North South Consultative Forum to the Executive for its consideration, and facilitated three consultative conferences, the most recent of which was in January 2011. The review of the Civic Forum by the Northern Ireland Executive has not yet been completed. At its meeting on 2 November 2012, the North-South Ministerial Council noted the current position on a North South Consultative Forum and agreed to review the issue at a future NSMC Plenary.
I hope that we can take this opportunity of the 15th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement to recall the vision of a shared society which inspired that Agreement and re-dedicate ourselves to the achievement of that goal. While there are undoubtedly challenges ahead, we should not lose sight of the progress that continues to be made, including, most recently though the establishment of the North South Inter Parliamentary Association.
30. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the additional steps that have been taken to reform the institutional architecture of the EU since the outbreak of the sovereign debt crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15582/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that the European institutions are sufficiently co-ordinated in terms of policy objectives to be in a position to identify a crisis before it occurs and as a result deal with any such issues more effectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15926/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he expects to be in a position to encourage his European colleagues to focus more effectively on the various issues affecting the EU inside and outside the eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15927/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 73 and 74 together.
An unprecedented economic crisis has faced the European Union, and more specifically the euro zone, over recent years. While our response has being sometimes criticised, great strides have, in fact, been made in dealing with these exceptional and complex circumstances. EU institutional architecture per se has not fundamentally altered. Indeed, Treaty change would be required to introduce many such changes, and I am not convinced that current circumstances would best be served by Treaty change in itself. Instead, what has happened is that many new instruments and mechanisms have been developed to cope with emerging challenges. At the beginning of the crisis, there were no effective support mechanisms to assist Member States in trouble. The Union has put in place the rescue mechanisms for Member States in difficulties, firstly on a temporary footing, the EFSF and the EFSM, and then a permanent support mechanism, the ESM.
Similarly there have been significant improvements in the economic governance structures in place through agreement on a series of measures including the “six-pack”, the Euro Plus Pact and the Stability Treaty. The “two-pack” of economic governance measures, on which the Irish Presidency recently secured agreement with the European Parliament, will improve our ability to anticipate where problems arise.
Alongside improvements in economic governance, it became evident that economic surveillance, the discussion of economic and fiscal policies, needed to take place in a more integrated manner.
This led to the introduction of the European Semester process which is now in its third year. As Presidency, we are working with partners and the Commission to ensure that the process is as effective and meaningful as possible. The March European council saw the conclusion of the first phase of the Semester. We are making efforts to correct perceived imbalances in the management of the process and aiming to be as timely and inclusive as possible in the way we deliver on that process.
Beyond economic governance and surveillance, it became clear that the Union needed to strengthen what underpins our Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). This new strengthened EMU will be built on a more integrated financial framework or banking union. Last December, EU Finance Ministers agreed an ambitious timetable for delivering the various elements of banking union including; the Single Supervisory Mechanism; CRD IV; the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive; and the Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive. Earlier this month, the Irish Presidency reached provisional agreement with the European Parliament on the Single Supervisory Mechanism. This was a top priority for the Irish Presidency. The agreement, which we as Presidency have also brokered, on CRD IV will see the risk profile of the European banking system lessened over time. As Presidency, Ireland is working intensively to make further progress on the various strands of banking union. An operational and effective banking union will help to address one of the key brakes on Europe’s recovery.
Beyond the short and medium term steps already taken, there is an appreciation among EU leaders that further deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union may be necessary in order to underpin the euro as a stable and credible currency into the future.
The European Council, in December last, asked President Van Rompuy to consider and consult further on four strands – coordination of major economic reforms; the social dimension of EMU; the feasibility of contracts for competiveness and growth between governments and EU institutions; and solidarity mechanisms. President Van Rompuy will present a “time bound roadmap” on these issues to the June European Council.
As Presidency, Ireland fully supports President Van Rompuy in his further work and we are facilitating discussions in the relevant Council formations. It is clear that any new steps towards strengthening economic governance will need to be accompanied by further steps towards stronger democratic legitimacy and accountability.
31. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support Ireland sending any non-lethal military equipment to the Syrian opposition, the Syrian National Coalition, as part of the EU agreement that was reached on 28 February, which allows EU members to send this non-lethal military equipment to the Syrian National Coalition. [15516/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Foreign Affairs Council on 18 February which I attended devoted considerable attention to reviewing the current EU sanctions which apply against Syria. The issue was further discussed at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers which took place in Dublin last weekend and which I co-hosted with High Representative Ashton.
This discussion will continue at the next Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April. The current EU sanctions regime remains essential in order to maintain strong pressure upon the Syrian authorities to stop their campaign of repression and violence against the Syrian people and to engage seriously in a process of dialogue with the opposition.
The 18 February Foreign Affairs Council agreed to renew the full range of existing sanctions for a further period of three months until the end of May, while widening the scope of the exemptions applicable under the sanctions regime so to allow the provision of non-lethal military equipment and technical assistance for the purpose of protecting the civilian population.
While some member States have indicated that they will now avail of this possibility to provide non-lethal equipment and assistance (such as training) to the Syrian National Coalition, Ireland has no plans to do so. I believe rather that EU action must remain focussed on strong support for the efforts of the UN/League of Arab States Special Envoy Brahimi to devise a political solution based on the June 2012 Geneva Communique and to get a genuine process of transition launched within Syria.
The EU should also concentrate on addressing the appalling humanitarian crisis resulting from a conflict which has now caused well over two million people to be internally displaced and has led to over one million Syrians taking refuge in neighbouring countries. The EU collectively is by far the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people and to the UN and international humanitarian NGOs which are assisting them, it has to date contributed almost €600 million in aid. Ireland, for its part, has contributed €7.1 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria over the past twelve months.
32. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns regarding the series of constitutional changes initiated by Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban with his Hungarian counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15576/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Hungarian counterpart János Martonyi has recently written to all EU Foreign Ministers informing them about changes to the Hungarian Constitution which were subsequently approved by the Hungarian Parliament.
The changes have prompted the European Commission and a number of Member States to express concern that the amendments are not compatible with the fundamental values and principles of the EU.
In a joint statement on 11 March, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe noted the approval by the Hungarian Parliament of the changes and expressed regret that experts from the Commission and Council of Europe had not been afforded the opportunity to discuss the amendments with Hungarian officials before final approval. The European Commission will now conduct a detailed assessment of the amendments in its role as guardian of the Treaties.
Ireland supports the statement by President Barroso and Secretary General Jagland. All member states have committed, through the Treaties, to respect the rule of law and to ensure that their national laws comply with EU legislation and in this regard, I encourage the Hungarian Government to engage fully with the European Commission to ensure that Hungary meets its obligations with respect to the rule of law and respect for democratic principles and fundamental rights.
34. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether it would be a positive step for Palestine to become a party to the Rome Statute and accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. [15531/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy understanding is that, following the admission of Palestine to sit in the UN General Assembly as an Observer State, Palestine is now eligible to become a party to the Rome Statute. Ireland is, of course, a very strong supporter of the International Criminal Court and has always supported and encouraged universal adherence to the Rome Statute.
The main consideration for any state in acceding to the Statute should be a willingness to subject its own actions to the jurisdiction of the ICC. I know that many states, including many who voted in favour of granting Palestine observer state status at the General Assembly, would be concerned that any decision to accede to the Rome Statute simply in order to open another front in an already complex and deadlocked conflict with Israel may be counterproductive. The Palestinian leadership are aware of these concerns.
36. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further talks he has held with the Northern Executive regarding the flag protests in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15601/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra46. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further talks he has held with the Northern Secretary of State regarding the flag protests in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15589/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 46 together.
Since the outbreak of street violence in early December, I have had frequent contact, both with the British Government and with party leaders. My most recent meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP was in Washington last week. We have agreed to continue working together to support the parties in Northern Ireland in addressing both the underlying and immediate causes of the deplorable violence seen in recent months on the streets of Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland.
While the situation has been calmer in recent weeks, we remain fully engaged in our support of the work of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and are united in our view, in the context of forthcoming parades, that the Parades Commission’s determinations must be respected. Dialogue between parade participants and resident communities continues to be the most effective way to prevent outbreaks of violence.
The Secretary of State and I have emphasised our support for the PSNI who have been at the frontline in dealing with the violent incidents unfortunately associated with some of the protests.
We have also urged the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to work with other Party Leaders in Northern Ireland to move on from the current controversy towards building a shared, cohesive and integrated society.
