Written Answers Nos. 69-76
69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives he proposes to take to encourage more Irish graduates to apply for jobs in European Union Institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15886/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince Ireland joined the European Union, Ireland has been well represented in the EU institutions relative to its population, including at very senior level. From 2004 to 2010, however, the annual recruitment competition was only open to the new Member States. Since the reopening of competitions to all EU Member States, there have been a disappointing number of successful Irish candidates. This decline in the number of permanent Irish officials entering the EU institutions is a matter of concern. To address this problem a number of initiatives to promote EU career opportunities have been undertaken. A stakeholders’ group, the EU Careers Committee, has been established which includes representatives of the EU Division of the Department of the Taoiseach and of the Irish Permanent Representation in Brussels, as well as representatives of the Public Appointments Service, European Movement Ireland, the European Commission Representation in Ireland and the European Parliament office in Ireland. The committee works in close cooperation with the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO), the EU’s recruitment service.
In addition, a public information campaign ‘EUJobs’ has been launched, led by the Minister of State for European Affairs. An online presence has been created to provide information and raise awareness about EU career opportunities. This includes a website www.eujobs.ie; twitter @eujobsireland; and facebook EUJobs.ie. A mailing list for those who wish to receive updates and advice has also been set up (EUJobs@taoiseach.ie ).
EU Careers Ambassadors been appointed in all Irish universities. Third-level careers advisory offices have received information about working in the EU institutions. The Minister of State for European Affairs and members of the EU Careers Committee visit universities and other third level institutions to promote EU careers and attend jobs fairs on a regular basis. Training and advice is given to candidates at the various stages of application process for jobs in the EU institutions.
70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions, if any, he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to parades and their oversight over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15887/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have discussed the role of the Parades Commission in the context of non-notified parades and the upcoming marching season with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers on a number of occasions. I have also discussed these issues in regular ongoing contacts with the party leaders in Northern Ireland, and most recently in Washington DC with the First and Deputy First Ministers.
I think it is important to put right the view that there is a legislative vacuum around the flags protest. This is not the case, as is illustrated by the fact that over 200 people have been charged with a variety of offences since the protests began.
There is however an ongoing debate regarding the extent, if any, to which existing legislation needs to be strengthened to enhance the remit of the Commission in these matters. There is no cross community consensus on this matter. Indeed, some unionist community representatives, far from wanting the Commission’s role extended, want it abolished completely.
What is important at present is that where the Parades Commission has jurisdiction all parties cooperate with it and respect its determinations. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I are fully in agreement on this issue. Furthermore, we are agreed that the police should be fully supported in their attempts to maintain public order.
My understanding is that the current debate will be further informed by the outcome of the recent judicial review proceedings which have been instituted by a resident in the nationalist Short Strand Community in Belfast – an area which has been greatly affected by the flags dispute. In the circumstances I think it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of applications of countries that have applied for membership of the European Union; the likely timescale for the progression of such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15890/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU continues to encourage peaceful coexistence throughout the Western Balkans with particular reference to the need to ensure that achievements to date continue to be developed, supported and expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15933/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 80 together.
Enlargement is one of the most successful EU policies, and it is a priority for the Irish Presidency. We see it as a vital tool for promoting reform, democracy and stability in the Western Balkans and throughout Europe, and we are working to facilitate and advance the process for all candidates and prospective candidates.
Of those countries who have submitted an application for EU membership, Croatia has completed its negotiations and is expected to accede to the EU on 1 July 2013. Iceland, Turkey and Montenegro are currently in accession negotiations. Serbia and Macedonia are official EU candidates, but have yet to begin accession negotiations. Albania has applied for EU membership, but has yet to be granted official candidate status. Although they have yet to submit applications for EU membership, the December 2012 European Council Conclusions have reaffirmed the EU perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
As with any negotiation, it is difficult to put a timeframe on the eventual outcomes. Enlargement is a conditional process, whereby prospective members can advance on their EU paths by fulfilling the criteria and reforms required for EU membership. Each applicant is considered on its own merits.
The accession process is the EU’s most concrete and effective policy for promoting peace, stability and democracy; the prospect of EU membership provides a powerful incentive for reform in applicant and potential applicant countries. Regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations are essential elements of the Stabilisation and Association process and, as such, are closely monitored by the Commission at all stages of the accession process. The December 2012 Council Conclusions on enlargement made particular reference to the importance of good neighbourly relations among countries. High Representative Ashton and the European External Action Service continue to facilitate a Dialogue between the governments of Belgrade and Pristina in an effort to improve relations between their two countries.
The EU’s proposed Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2014-2020 also includes provision for IPA II, the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance. This is a continuation of the Instrument that has been in place since 2007 which assists candidate and prospective candidate countries in preparing for accession, including by way of institution building and adoption of the EU acquis.
72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the issues discussed at the recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15891/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 11 March. In her opening remarks to the Council, High Representative Ashton briefed Ministers on a range of topics including the Iran 3+3 talks, the elections in Kenya and progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. France and the UK intervened on developments in Mali, Germany debriefed on developments in the DPRK and Belgium welcomed the agreement reached in relation to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Condolences were also expressed on the death of seven hostages in Nigeria on 8 March.
The first formal item for discussion was Russia (which was also considered by the European Council later that week). The High Representative reported on the outcome of the EU-Russia Political Dialogue which had taken place in Brussels on 19 February. Ministers addressed various aspects of the EU’s relationship with Russia, a strategic partnership which is buttressed by strong trading and energy relations but which is also increasingly characterised by concerns about Russia’s fulfilment of its WTO membership commitments as well as about internal developments which have undermined political pluralism in Russia.
There was also a brief discussion of relations with Japan in preparation for the forthcoming EU-Japan summit. Unfortunately, due to the crisis in Cyprus, the tentative date of 25 March for the summit had to be abandoned; it is hoped, however, that the meeting can be re-scheduled at the earliest possible opportunity.
There was a brief exchange of views on Iraq and it is expected that Conclusions will be agreed at a forthcoming Council.
Under the Southern Neighbourhood item, we took stock of the situation in Egypt and Tunisia, against the background of major political and social unrest, worsening economic outlook and forthcoming general elections in both countries. The latest developments in Libya were also discussed, including preparations for the deployment of a CSDP mission on border management.
Finally, the situation in Syria was addressed over lunch, where we were joined by UN Joint Special Representative for Syria. Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi. Mr Brahimi provided us with an update on the latest developments in Syria, including progress on his mission to create a basis for a political way forward linked to the Geneva Communiqué. No Conclusions were adopted.
Under AOB the Romanian Foreign Minister updated colleagues on the Friends of Moldova meeting which had taken place that morning and which had been attended by Minister of State Creighton.
75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he anticipates European foreign policy to emerge as the leading peace promoting agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15928/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 3 of the Treaty on the European Union states that the European Union’s “aim is to promote peace, its values and the well being of its peoples”. Furthermore, Article 21c of the Treaty specifies that the EU shall work to “preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security”. The EU’s achievements in this regard were formally recognised when it was awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. Over six decades, the EU has consolidated peace between former antagonists, exported stability to its neighbourhood and been the first regional organisation to make a tangible contribution to peace and security beyond its borders. In this regard, the EU already plays a leadership role in the promotion of peace. The European Commission currently focuses its activities on the root causes of conflict and the building of sustainable peace. In addition to deploying instruments relating to economic development and social cohesion, the Commission concentrates on the rebuilding of critical state institutions plus transitional justice and reconciliation efforts. The European External Action Service (EEAS) promotes peace at all levels, ranging from, for example, high-level mediation between Serbia and Kosovo (which is conducted by High Representative Ashton) to the work of a newly created EEAS team on conflict prevention, peacebuilding and mediation which provides training on early warning, conflict analysis and mediation and which is helping to build conflict prevention capacity in third countries.
In combination, and in the spirit of the EU’s so-called “Comprehensive Approach” to crisis management, these various instruments and resources enable the European Union to make a decisive contribution to the promotion of peace. Ireland is fully supportive of this work. As Presidency, furthermore, we are contributing to the organization of a conference, along with the EEAS and the European Parliament, which will look at ways of strengthening the Union’s internal and external capacities in the field of mediation, a crucial element in conflict prevention.
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied regarding the extent to which the EU and the wider global community including the UN have positively addressed the issues in the Great Lakes region of Africa with particular reference to addressing the salient issues such as human rights abuses, war, starvation and administrative weaknesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15929/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI share the widespread concerns about the situation in the Great Lakes region and particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The country has been ravaged by a long series of violent conflicts and millions of innocent civilians have been killed, injured or displaced from their homes. There have been systematic abuses of human rights, extremely high levels of sexual violence and rape, and widespread recruitment and use of child soldiers.
European Union Foreign Ministers regularly discuss developments in the DRC and are working actively to support efforts to bring peace and stability to the country.
Countries in the region are eager to prevent the fighting from escalating further and recently joined together under the auspices of the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the Southern Africa Development Community to sign a Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement. The agreement calls on the authorities of the DRC to reform their security forces in order to re-establish the State’s authority in the east of the country, as well as to carry out basic institutional reforms. The countries of the region, for their part, pledge to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their neighbours. The adoption of the Agreement was welcomed on behalf of the EU in a joint statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton and Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mary Robinson to oversee implementation of the peace deal. I have warmly welcomed this development. She is expected to travel to the region in the coming weeks to meet the leaders who signed the agreement and work closely with them to ensure that the agreements are implemented. I believe her efforts will be assisted by the surrender of indicted warlord, Bosco Ntaganda to the International Criminal Court where he faces 10 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Ireland continues to provide ongoing support in response to the serious humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Last year Irish Aid provided over €10 million in assistance to those worst affected in the crisis.
Earlier this month a further €3.8 million in humanitarian funding was announced by the Government. Of this funding, €2 million has been provided to the Common Humanitarian Fund for the DRC. This provides quick and flexible funding to UN humanitarian agencies and to NGOs on the ground and aims to assist nearly four million vulnerable people in the DRC. The remaining €1.8 million is being provided to Irish Aid partners, Christian Aid (€450,000), Concern (€450,000), Trócaire (€300,000) and Oxfam (€580,000).
