Written Answers Nos. 64-74
64. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he proposes to change the auditing system pertaining to overseas development aid such as having auditing carried out under the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23211/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has in place rigorous accounting and audit controls that recognise the various types of risk inherent in delivering a large scale and multi faceted overseas aid programme in difficult and challenging environments. As is required for all Government Departments, my Department has in place an internal audit function with appropriately trained personnel, which operates in accordance with a written charter - in line with international auditing standards - which is approved by the Accounting Officer. This is confirmed in the Statement on Internal Financial Control which is annexed to the annual Appropriation Accounts for this Department. This is confirmed in the Statement on Internal Financial Control which is annexed to the annual Appropriation Accounts for this Department. The internal audit function has responsibility for overseeing the audit of the Overseas Aid budget in my Department and employs a risk-based approach in determining its work plan. The work plan is approved by the Secretary General and overseen by the independent Audit Committee who review annually the policies and work programme of the Internal Audit function. In line with good practice, internal audit approaches and work programmes within my Department are continuously reviewed and updated as the risk environment evolves.
The audit function of my Department is suitably staffed with qualified accountants at HQ and in Irish Aid missions and all staff have relevant experience in the delivery of aid programmes overseas. In common with all other Government Departments the annual appropriation accounts of my Department are audited and reported on by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Overall I am satisfied that the internal audit function is appropriate and working to the highest standards and do not propose to change the auditing system at this time.
67. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the apparent contradiction between policies to promote bio-fuels, on one hand, and hunger alleviation goals, on the other, in view of the concerns linking the increased demand for bio-fuels and the increase in food prices; his views on the European Commission's proposal to limit the use of crop based bio-fuels in transport by 2020 to 5%; if he will include this issue on the agenda of the upcoming hunger summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23105/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI share concerns that biofuel production, unless properly regulated, can have a negative impact on food production, and on food prices. The scale of the challenge of fighting global poverty and providing nutritious food for a growing population, in the context of a changing climate, was highlighted at the international Conference on Hunger Nutrition and Climate Justice which we organised in Dublin last month. My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, takes the lead on Government policy in relation to biofuels and EU policy on biofuels, including the European Commission's proposal to limit the use of crop-based biofuels in transport to 5% by 2020.
The EU Renewable Energy Directive of 2009 requires that, by 2020, 10% of transport fuels should come from renewable sources. The Directive also provided that the ongoing effects of its implementation be monitored by the European Commission. Following a number of studies on the Directive’s effects, in October 2012 the Commission published a proposal to amend the Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive. The Commission included a proposal that the 10% quota be reduced to 5%. The proposal for a reduction to 5%, in conjunction with the incentives for advanced (next-generation) biofuels, signals the desire of the Commission to move towards the use of advanced biofuels made from feedstocks which do not compete with the production of food.
While Member States agree that the issue must be addressed, it is an extremely complex matter, and there is no agreement yet on the appropriateness of a 5% cap. The issue is currently being progressed at an ad hoc working group of the EU Energy and Environment Councils, with the objective of producing a progress report for the meetings of the Energy and Environment Councils in June 2013. The fight to end extreme hunger is, and will remain, a key priority for Ireland’s international development programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We take a comprehensive approach in addressing the issue of hunger, including issues of good governance in respect of land use.
In the context of its G8 Presidency, the British Government is co-organising an important international meeting on hunger and nutrition in London on 8 June, on the theme ‘Nutrition for Growth: Beating Hunger through Business and Science’. Ireland is a core partner in this initiative and the Taoiseach will participate, at the invitation of the British Prime Minister. The event will build on the Olympic Hunger Summit held at Downing Street in August 2012, which the Taoiseach also attended. The forthcoming event in London will focus specifically on under-nutrition, an often silent element of hunger which has devastating consequences. Over 40% of children under the age of five in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are undernourished, putting them at greater risk of infection and death, and seriously limiting their ability to reach their full potential in school and in their countries and communities. I am determined that Ireland will continue our strong international advocacy and action to address hunger and undernutrition. In London, we will focus particularly on supporting efforts to harness public and private investment which will assist low income countries to address the challenge of undernutrition.
68. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the recently released One World, One Future: Ireland’s Policy for International Development report and its commitment to promoting decent work as a human right, and in view of recent tragedies, is he concerned about the working conditions, and the fire and building safety of garment factories in Bangladesh. [23224/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn behalf of the Irish Government, I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the Government and people of Bangladesh on the tragic loss of life suffered following the collapse of a garment factory in Dhaka. Ireland’s diplomatic relations with Bangladesh are maintained through our Embassy to India in New Delhi and the Embassy of Bangladesh in London accredited to Ireland. I share the concern of Ireland’s UN and EU partners regarding the current state of labour conditions in Bangladesh. Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental feature of our foreign policy. Under Ireland’s new policy for International Development – One World, One Future, we are committed to ensuring that economic development is compatible with human rights, including the right to decent work. Our engagement in this area will be informed by, among other international standards, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In this regard, Irish Aid currently provides assistance to International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) ’Decent Work Agenda’ through a partnership programme that covers the four year period 2012-2015.
In a statement issued on 30 April by High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, and Commissioner for Trade, Karl de Gucht, the EU called upon the authorities in Bangladesh to act immediately to ensure that factories across the country comply with international labour standards including International Labour Organisations (ILO) conventions. On 29 April 2013, Bangladesh underwent a ‘Universal Periodic Review’ of the human rights situation in the country. During this review Ireland recommended that Bangladesh ensure widespread, unannounced and rigorous factory inspections. Where breaches in Bangladesh’s Labour Act (2006) occur, those responsible should be held accountable in a manner sufficient to ensure deterrence. Ireland’s recommendations were accepted by Bangladesh.
I welcome recent efforts by the Government of Bangladesh to reform labour laws in response to this tragedy and urge that further reforms, as recommended in the Universal Periodic Review, are implemented without delay. Ireland, as a member of the EU, is willing to assist the authorities in Bangladesh to meet international standards and will continue to urge European and international companies operating in Bangladesh to follow internationally recognised Corporate Social Responsibility Guidelines and promote better health and safety standards.
69. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he had with members of the Elders on a recent visit to Dublin; the discussions he had with former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter and others regarding their objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23418/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI had the opportunity to have a wide ranging and constructive discussion with members of the Elders group when they visited Dublin last Friday 10 May. The Elders are independent leaders using their collective experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide. The Elders' visit to Dublin followed the organisation’s twice yearly meeting, held at Mount Juliet on the 8 and 9 May, to review their work programme and plan future activities. On their visit to Dublin the Elders held two roundtables – a closed roundtable discussion with a group of young people from Northern Ireland at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), and a private roundtable with NGOs, European diplomats and staff from my department at Iveagh House, held under Chatham House rules, to explore Europe’s role in reviving the Middle East peace process and the two-state solution. I addressed the roundtable held at Iveagh House on Middle East issues, which was hosted by President Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson and Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Trócaire and Christian Aid also participated in the discussions. Gro Harlem Brundtland chaired the roundtable at the IIEA on Northern Ireland issues which was attended by Martti Ahtisaari and by Ela Bhatt also. The Elders listened to the particular challenges facing young people in Northern Ireland and encouraged the young people to work together and to take a lead in building a peaceful, inclusive and culturally vibrant society in Northern Ireland.
Later I hosted a lunch with the Elders – Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, Martti Ahtisaari, Ela Bhatt, and Gro Harlem Brundtland, where we discussed a range of issues that are of mutual concern, in particular the Middle East peace process and the possibility of the EU introducing clear labelling of products made in Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law, to protect prospects for a Palestine state living side by side with Israel. Other issues we discussed included the current situation in Syria; Northern Ireland and the challenges of building a reconciled and shared society for all communities; development issues and the recent Hunger, Nutrition and Climate Change Conference that Mary Robinson and I co-hosted; and the Great Lakes Region (as Mary Robinson was recently appointed as UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa). At the lunch the Elders also briefed me on the outcome and lessons learned from both roundtables and the Elders peace-building activities, while I outlined to the Elders Ireland’s foreign policy objectives and the progress we have so far made in our Presidency programme, in particular on the area of development.
70. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the discussions he has had with António Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23420/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) plays a critical role in ensuring humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of millions of displaced people. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people. Ireland works closely with the UNHCR, and last year the Government provided €8.4 million for the protection of refugees in Syria, Jordan, Chad, the Sahel, Somalia and elsewhere. This year we have already provided €8.6 million to UNHCR in core funding and emergency funding for refugees from Syria.
In this context I was particularly pleased to have the opportunity to meet with High Commissioner Guterres when he visited Ireland in October 2012 in advance of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. We discussed the escalating conflict in Syria and its impact on UNHCR’s work, including in Jordan where Minister of State Joe Costello T.D. had recently visited the Za’atari refugee camp.
Apart from the humanitarian crisis which dominated the headlines at the time I also raised the issue of the many so called “forgotten crises” from Chad, DRC, Mali and Somalia. I briefed Mr Guterres on Ireland’s funding for these crises while assuring him that we would continue to highlight this issue in international fora. I also shared with Mr Guterres my own personal impressions following my visit to Somalia in July 2012, during which I had the opportunity to see for myself the valuable work that UNHCR is doing on the ground. I also briefed Mr. Guterres on our plans for Ireland’s EU Presidency. We discussed our work to forge stronger links between the development and humanitarian agendas of the EU, as well as our role in coordinating EU positions for the international meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, to be held at the UN in September 2013.
71. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport issued to a minor (details supplied) in County Mayo has been withdrawn or cancelled by the passport office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23469/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service remains in contact with both guardians of the child in relation to this matter.
72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the preparatory work carried out to date in relation to the introduction of labelling requirements and boycotting of products from illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23499/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the most recent discussions at European Union Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the labelling and boycotting of products from illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23500/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
Settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory are not in Israel, and clearly therefore produce from settlements should not be labelled as Israeli produce. In addition, many consumers would wish to be able to distinguish between produce from Israel, from Palestinian producers, and from Israeli settlements, and to make their own decisions as to what they wish to purchase. Indeed, I believe that some consumers may be avoiding produce from Israel because at present they are not confident that this does not include settlement goods. A move to distinguish goods from settlements would also send a strong political signal regarding the highly damaging impact of continuing settlement expansion.
In February EU High Representative Ashton wrote to Foreign Ministers, and committed herself to preparing EU-wide guidelines that would strengthen implementation of EU consumer legislation and ensure its consistency with EU foreign policy objectives. Along with twelve of my EU colleagues I wrote back to her to commend this action and offer our full support. Work is now ongoing at official level in the EU, at this stage primarily between the EAS and the Commission, and it is expected that the EU will develop guidelines on place of origin labelling for products from settlements entering the EU market which ensure that consumers can be fully informed about the origin of such products.
Domestically, I have written to a number of Ministers whose responsibilities have a bearing on the labelling issue, so that we can feed in properly to the consideration at EU level. In due course, if satisfactory action at EU level is not possible, I will discuss with those Ministers the possibility of issuing national guidelines to the same effect. Clearly however a solution at EU level would be better. Separately, I have stated that Ireland could support a ban at EU level on settlement products entering the EU market at all, but that this is not a practical prospect for the moment. I have elaborated on this aspect in earlier responses to Deputies. Finally, it is important also to clarify that these actions relate solely to products of illegal Israeli settlements. I am not considering, and do not support, any action against products from Israel itself.
74. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland's contribution, financially or in terms of resource commitment or otherwise to the donor conference for development in Mali that was held on 15 May 2013 in Brussels; if Ireland took the initiative to participate in the meeting; if Ireland was invited by either the European Union or France to participate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23546/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe situation in Mali remains high priority for the international community, including the European Union. It has been discussed at a series of international and EU meetings over recent months. Ireland has played a significant role in these talks in our capacity as EU Presidency, including in discussions which I chaired at the meeting of EU Development Ministers in Dublin in February. Ireland was invited by the co-hosts, the EU and the French Government, to attend the International Donors Conference for Development in Mali which took place in Brussels yesterday. I represented the Government at the meeting.
Ireland is committed to continuing to respond to humanitarian needs in Mali and the wider region. In 2012, the Government provided €9.25 million for relief efforts in the Sahel region, through Irish and international NGO partners. We announced a further €1.8 million in Irish Aid funding earlier this year, for those worst affected by the crisis in Mali, including assistance to displaced people and refugees. At the Conference in Brussels yesterday, I announced a further €2.5 million in humanitarian and recovery funding for Mali over the two-year period ahead.
