Written Answers Nos. 102-123
102. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts he has made to combine the use of embassies, Enterprise Ireland and Industrial Development Authority offices in order to reduce rent, staff costs and increase cross collaboration between the different parts; the locations where this has been rolled out already; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48972/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 1987, the Government formulated a policy to bring together, where feasible, our diplomatic and consular missions abroad and the offices of state agencies in a single location, designated as Ireland House. The precise model for implementing such an arrangement would, of course, vary and have to reflect local conditions and other factors. In all cases, the arrangement is one designed to increase the impact of Ireland’s presence abroad, to improve coordination among all parties, and to maximise cost-efficiencies. There are a number of types of Ireland House currently operating overseas. The largest is in New York and comprises the Consulate General, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA in addition to other agencies including Tourism Ireland, Bord Bia, the American Ireland Fund and CIE Tours. Missions at Boston, Brussels, Budapest, Kuala Lumpur, Prague, Riyadh and Warsaw share premises with Enterprise Ireland. Our missions at Moscow, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo accommodate both Enterprise Ireland and IDA offices. The Consulate General in Shanghai shares premises with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, and also Bord Bia and an agent for Tourism Ireland; the Ireland House in Madrid includes offices from Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland, together with the Embassy. Other configurations prevail elsewhere including at Embassy Beijing which shares premises with the IDA; Embassy Stockholm which shares space with Bord Bia; Embassy New Delhi which operates from shared premises with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland; and Ireland's Consulate General in Atlanta which operates from the same location as the IDA. In addition, there are a number of other locations where state agencies share facilities with each other in the form of an Ireland House, which does not include the Irish mission to that particular country. For example, in Paris, the IDA, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and BIM operate an Ireland House.
The Ireland House concept has been put in place where possible and the potential for expanding the current network of Ireland Houses is kept under review, for instance in situations where new missions or agencies are opening or moving to new locations.
103. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the consular visit to a person (details supplied) who is facing a capital murder trial in Florida, USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48815/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Consul General of Ireland to Atlanta visited the citizen referred to by the Deputy at the Land O'Lakes County Jail in Florida on 24th October 2013. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose further information to the Deputy as Consular visits are by their nature private and it would not be appropriate for me to make public any details of such a visit. I can assure the Deputy that the Consul General will continue to offer all appropriate consular assistance to the citizen concerned and that the Consular Assistance Section of my Department will continue to monitor this case very closely.
104. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to recent reports which provide further evidence of war crimes and human rights abuses carried out by the Sri Lankan Government during the recent war with the Tamil Tigers; if he supports demands that these crimes be fully investigated; and if he will raise the issue with his European counterparts and at international fora. [48958/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has seen the documentary entitled "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka"; if the Irish Government has plans to take action on the issue of alleged atrocities in Sri Lanka in 2009 by government and Tamil forces; if the matter will be raised with our neighbours in the UK Government in view of the fact that Sri Lanka is a Commonwealth state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49500/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 135 together.
The Government of Ireland monitors the human rights situation in Sri Lanka closely. All allegations of human rights abuses reported by international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and through the media are taken seriously. I am deeply concerned by the accounts of human rights abuses in connection with the conflict in Sri Lanka.
Ireland regularly expresses its position on human rights situations of concern globally, in particular at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and in other relevant multilateral fora. Ireland also contributes actively to the formulation of European Union policy on human rights issues and cooperates and exchanges views with partners, such as the UK among others, on an ongoing basis.
Most recently, at the 24th session of the UNHRC, which took place from 9–27 September 2013, Ireland intervened in the General Debate on human rights situations requiring the Council's attention and expressed its concerns in relation to human rights in Sri Lanka. Ireland expressed its serious concern at abuses in that country, including in relation to the treatment of prisoners incarcerated in connection with the conflict, enforced disappearances, torture, and other human rights violations. Ireland further noted that genuine reconciliation among all groups and communities in Sri Lanka is essential, and requires justice and accountability.
At the same session, the EU also expressed strong concerns regarding the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka. On 9 September, in the General Debate on the annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the EU urged the Government of Sri Lanka to implement effectively the recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission and to conduct independent and credible investigations into allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The EU further encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to fully cooperate with the UN human rights mechanisms and to allow access for all UN special procedures mandate holders. Finally, the EU expressed its dismay at the reported reprisals against individuals who met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay, during her visit to the country in August 2013.
In a subsequent statement on 25 September in a General Debate also addressing country situations, reacting to the latest information, the EU reiterated its concerns and in particular registered its deep concern at reports that government officials and other commentators in Sri Lanka appeared to be coordinating a campaign of disinformation in an attempt to discredit the High Commissioner and to distract from the core messages of her visit.
In a statement I delivered on behalf of the EU at the twenty-second session of the UN Human Rights Council on 27 February 2013, I highlighted concerns regarding the current human rights situation in Sri Lanka, and, in particular, the need for accountability and reconciliation. My attention was drawn to the documentary referred to by the deputy following its screening at that session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Ireland, together with our partners in the EU and UN, will continue to urge the Government of Sri Lanka to adhere to its international obligations and respect the human rights of all its citizens, through our accredited embassy in New Delhi and the relevant multilateral channels.
105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State the serious issues relating to collusion outlined in the recent publication, Lethal Allies: British Collusion in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48977/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the issue of collusion was ever raised with the British Government over the past two years. [48875/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 122 together.
In recent weeks there have been several sharp reminders of the devastation that the conflict in Northern Ireland had on families and communities. The allegations of collusion and the murders described in Anne Cadwallader’s book Lethal Allies, and the BBC and RTÉ documentary on "The Disappeared" this week, remind us that dealing with the past remains a central issue for society. They also remind us that thousands of people lost their lives, tens of thousands of people were injured and very few communities are untouched by the violence, trauma and bitter legacy of the period.
Allegations of collusion, investigations and calls for public inquires into such allegations have featured in our discussions with the British authorities since the 1970s. Most recently, following the report by Sir Desmond Da Silva into Pat Finucane's murder, the British Prime Minister David Cameron said the degree of collusion exposed between elements of the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries was "unacceptable".
Anne Cadwallader personally briefed my officials on the main conclusions of her book shortly in advance of publication. On 9 November in Armagh, I had the opportunity to meet with Denise Fox. She is the daughter of Denis Mullen, an SDLP Councillor who was murdered at his home near Moy on September 1, 1975. I was moved to hear firsthand about the impact her father's murder, and the attempted murder of her mother, has had on her life. Like many families in NI her search for truth is not yet complete. Many murders in that area highlighted by Ms. Cadwallader were raised by the Irish Government with British counterparts over the years, following representations from politicians and clergy in the area about the conduct of the security forces and UDR personnel. We are now examining the new text in detail and will consider further action in light of that examination. I raised these issues when I met the British Deputy Prime Minster, Nick Clegg, in London last week.
The Government supports the work of the Panel of Parties established by the First Minister and deputy First Minister to look at dealing with the past, with parades and with flags and emblems. When I last met with the Independent Chair of the Panel Dr. Haass in Dublin we discussed how best to deal with the legacy of the past. There is much in the Eames Bradley Report that is of relevance. That is a point I made to Dr. Richard Haass when I met him in Dublin and offered whatever support possible from the Irish Government to help him in his work. I will continue to emphasise this as those talks reach their conclusion.
106. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has examined the level of reduction in the overseas aid budget of other EU-IMF programme countries; his views on whether the current percentage of expenditure is sustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48804/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland's overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of Irish foreign policy. The programme reflects the values and generosity of spirit of the Irish people and is a concrete expression of our determination to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Our new policy on international development - One World, One Future - maintains the Government's focus on assisting some of the world's poorest countries and communities, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. It also takes account of Ireland's future economic and trading interests, as developing countries grow their economies and generate their own revenues, while we continue to enhance our ties with them. It also reconfirms the Government's commitment to achieving the UN target of contributing 0.7% of GNP in Official Development Assistance (ODA) when economic circumstances permit.
Over the past few years, despite the very difficult economic circumstances facing the country and the unprecedented demands on the exchequer, this Government has managed to largely stabilise our ODA budget. In all the circumstances, this is a very significant achievement and a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to the programme. Ireland's total ODA budget for next year is expected to be set at some €602 million, compared with €622 million in 2013. This is slightly less than 50 cent in every €100 of our national income.
The most recent data published by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) relates to 2012 and confirms that the ODA budgets of many donor countries, including Ireland, have been reduced as a result of the financial crisis. Details of donor ODA spending in 2013 will be published by the DAC in the spring of next year.
107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way Irish humanitarian aid to Syria has been utilised; if any aid committed to date has been used to battle the current polio endemic in that country; if he will provide an update on his engagement in the Syrian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48975/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe protracted and tragic crisis in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained and urgent response from the international community. As the number of fatalities moves towards 120,000, there are now approximately 9 million people who are in need of immediate life saving support. In addition to more than 6.5 million people who are displaced within Syria, there are currently 2.2 million Syrians who have fled the violence to take refuge in neighbouring countries. Ireland has been doing all it can to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis, having provided almost €14 million in assistance since the crisis began. Ireland has focused our humanitarian aid through trusted NGO partners, as well as to key UN partners and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement - agencies capable of delivering impartial assistance to large numbers of beneficiaries. These agencies also play a key role in supporting the host governments in neighbouring countries to provide assistance to the refugee populations. This funding has supported the provision of water, food, shelter and vital medicines to internally displaced persons within Syria and also to refugees and host communities in neighbouring countries, particularly Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon. We have worked closely with all agencies that receive Irish Aid support to ensure that the necessary systems are in place to monitor and evaluate the use and impact of Ireland's assistance, and to ensure aid is delivered in accordance with the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.
Recently confirmed cases of polio in the highly-contested north-east Deir-ez-Zor province of Syria are an extremely worrying development. These cases mark the first polio outbreak in Syria in 14 years. Our partners UNICEF and the World Health Organization have mobilized a campaign to contain the confirmed polio outbreak and have launched a national immunization strategy, targeting 1.6 million children. In light of the particularly worrying conditions for Syrian children, Ireland has to date provided €1 million to support UNICEF's efforts to enhance access to essential health services for children and we have provided an additional €300,000 to the World Health Organization in direct response to the crisis.
In order to assess the situation on the ground, I travelled to the region in early October. While there, I witnessed the deteriorating humanitarian situation and emphasised Ireland’s support for the generous efforts of Syria's neighbouring countries to provide shelter and basic services for Syrian refugees. During my visit, I announced an additional contribution of 3 million Euros for operations in Syria and neighbouring countries, thereby demonstrating Ireland's continued leadership and commitment to respond to one of the most complex humanitarian contexts in the world today.
Ireland has matched its material humanitarian support with concrete efforts to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis and to advocate for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. We have consistently called for all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and to refrain from the targeting of civilians. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, Ireland will continue to provide assistance, within our means and as the situation evolves, to the humanitarian response.
109. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any discussion with the Spanish authorities in relation to human rights issues affecting Basque prisoners, especially in relation to alleged torture and in relation to those prisoners who are extremely ill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48872/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPolicy on the placement and treatment of a country's nationals in prison in the European Union is a matter for the democratically elected government and the relevant competent authorities in each Member State in accordance with domestic, European and international law, and, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to become involved in the matter in question. As I have stated previously, the Government continues to support and encourage all efforts that are aimed at securing a definitive peace in the Basque Country.
110. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make decent work a priority of his Department in the post-2015 development agenda; his views on the remarks made by Mr. Colin Wrafter at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade recently that decent work is a human right (UD, Article 23); if he supports the new Asia floor wage; and if he will promote this right in Africa, as the focus of so much of Ireland's aid and trade policies, where there is both accelerating industrialisation and intensive agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48871/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Ireland's new policy for International Development – One World, One Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that economic development is compatible with human rights, including the right to decent work and our engagement in this area will be informed by, among other international standards, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Ireland has been a consistent and strong supporter of the decent work agenda globally. And we have funded programmes related to this agenda in Asia and Africa for years. Since 2001 Ireland has had a partnership programme with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Irish Aid support to the ILO has focused on providing greater opportunities for people in developing countries to secure decent employment and incomes. This programme has contributed substantially to livelihood improvement and poverty reduction, knowledge sharing and capacity development as well as influencing the development of workplace and employment policy. The programme has yielded encouraging results in a number of Irish Aid Key Partner Countries in Africa, such as building the capacity of National Labour Inspectorates, which has been supported through the programme in Zambia.
The right to decent work is among the key challenges which are informing on-going discussions on the Post-2015 Development Framework. Ireland has been and it will continue to be actively engaged in driving the post-2015 agenda, including through our participation in the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, where there have been very constructive discussions to date on the challenge of creating decent jobs to employ all those seeking work in developed and developing countries.
At the September UN High Level Event MDG Review, which the Tánaiste and I attended, global leaders launched a process of intergovernmental negotiations which will lead to the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda. Ireland will continue to engage actively in the process with a major focus on addressing issues of equality, social inclusion, decent work and the challenges of environmental sustainability and poverty eradication.
112. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of the costs involved in financing the Constitutional Convention to date; and if he will further provide a breakdown of the costs incurred at each location where the convention has met since it was first convened. [48502/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total expenditure on the Convention on the Constitution to date is €908,000.
The Convention was first convened in Dublin Castle on 1 December, 2012 and all of its plenary meetings have been held in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, which was selected following a competitive tendering process.
A breakdown of the costs involved in running the plenary meetings up to and including September, 2013, is set out in the following table:
|
Category |
Cost |
|
Conference/ catering & accommodation |
€200,953.32 |
|
Broadcasting services |
€70,417.50 |
|
Simultaneous translation services |
€13,284.00 |
|
Reimbursement of travel expenses |
€25,743.46 |
|
Facilitation & note-taking services |
€22,795.00 |
*Costs associated with the November plenary meeting are not yet available.
113. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach if he will provide the total euro amount paid out from the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Attorney General's office to companies (details supplied) for each year from 2004 to date in 2013; the total euro amount paid out from the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Attorney General's office to senior counsel from 2004 to date in 2013; and the total euro amount paid out from the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Attorney General's office to companies (details supplied) for non-audit services from 2004 to date. [49315/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out the total amount paid by the Offices of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor to the specified companies for each year from 2004 to date.
Amounts marked with an asterisk (*) are in respect of expert evidence relating to litigation against the State.
|
Year |
Arthur Cox |
Matheson |
A&L Goodbody |
McCann Fitzgerald |
William Fry |
Mason, Hayes, Curran |
|
2004 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€100.00* |
|
2005 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2006 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2007 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2008 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2009 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2010 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2011 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2012 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2013 (to 14 November) |
€1,765.05 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
The following table sets out the total amount paid by the Offices of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor to the specified companies for non-audit services from 2004 to date.
Amounts marked with an asterisk (*) are in respect of expert evidence relating to litigation against the State.
|
Year |
PWC |
KPMG |
Ernst and Young |
Deloitte |
Grant Thornton |
|
2004 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2005 |
- |
€36,300* |
- |
- |
- |
|
2006 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2007 |
€27,932.85 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2008 |
- |
€112,042.47* |
- |
- |
- |
|
2009 |
- |
€30,647.84* |
- |
- |
- |
|
2010 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2011 |
€4,918.32* |
€30,641.18* |
- |
€52,407.52* |
- |
|
2012 |
- |
- |
- |
€14,259.99* |
- |
|
2013 (to 14 November) |
- |
- |
- |
€16,974.00* |
- |
The following table sets out the total amount paid by the Offices of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor to Senior Counsel(1) from 2004 to date.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2004 |
€6,031,180.15 |
|
2005 |
€6,950,602.84 |
|
2006 |
€5,670,129.62 |
|
2007 |
€7,649,326.31 |
|
2008 |
€8,346,596.09 |
|
2009 |
€6,832,635.59 |
|
2010 |
€4,705,588.23 |
|
2011 |
€3,984,654.90 |
|
2012 |
€3,592,659.56 |
|
2013 (to 14 November 2013) |
€2,995,076.06 |
(1) Please note that these figures relate to date of payment. It is possible that payments listed to Senior Counsel were in respect of work carried out as Junior Counsel.
114. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Taoiseach his plans for the reform of Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49519/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 23 October 2013, I listened in the Seanad Chamber to the views of Senators on how to move forward in relation to the Seanad. I now intend to meet with the leaders of the parties in the Dáil and Seanad to discuss the matter further with them.
I will take all of the views into account so that the future of Seanad Éireann can be shaped in a way that will enable it to become a more meaningful and effective institution in our society.
As a small first step I have already announced that legislation is to be prepared to implement the 1979 referendum decision which allowed the State to extend the provisions for the election of members of the Seanad by certain universities to other institutions of higher education in the State.
116. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the meetings he held in or around the Global Economic Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41828/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 3rd Global Irish Economic Forum took place on the 4th and 5th of October and brought together members of the Global Irish Network and the Government, along with heads of third level institutions and semi-state bodies. The Forum discussion was very focussed on this occasion, with attendees being asked to consider the contribution that the Forum and the Global Irish Network could make to the Action Plan on Jobs. I attended the Forum and spoke at the opening session, and the closing Plenary alongside the Taoiseach. I also participated in a panel discussion on the theme 'Opportunities for Ireland in the UK and Europe', as well as a number of the closed-session working groups. As part of a commitment arising from the 2011 Forum to bring more tangible benefits of the Global Irish Economic Forum to indigenous Irish companies, I also participated in a side-event to the Forum which brought over 100 Irish SMEs together with Global Irish Network members to discuss scaling up for global business. The SMEs were drawn from Enterprise Ireland client companies, as well as officials and companies from Northern Ireland who were brought together by InterTrade Ireland.
Also attending the Forum this year was Helene Conway-Mouret, Minister for French Nationals Abroad. Minister Conway-Mouret has a long connection with Ireland, having lived here for many years. I took the opportunity to have a formal meeting with the Minister en marge of the Forum.
117. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the achievements the Global Irish Economic Forum has made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42735/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first and second meetings of the Global Irish Economic Forum, in 2009 and 2011 respectively, transformed the way in which the Government does business with leading international figures who are connected to Ireland. A number of initiatives emerged from both of these events which have achieved considerable success.Perhaps the best known of these is the Gathering, which is the largest tourism initiative ever organized by the State and which continues to attract visitors to Ireland. Connect Ireland, which aims to harness the power of Irish networks across the world in support of job creation, announced 83 new jobs in Dublin and Cork during the 2013 Forum.
Another initiative assisting Irish companies in expanding is the Global Irish Contacts Programme, which directly links the leading business figures abroad with Irish companies seeking to increase their exports. Developing on the Contacts Programme, the 2013 forum included an event which brought Global Irish Network members together with Irish SMEs to share knowledge and develop networks. The SMEs were nominated by Enterprise Ireland in the main but also included companies from Northern Ireland working with InterTrade Ireland.
Benefitting both Irish business and young graduates is the Farmleigh Fellowship, which is establishing a critical mass of highly skilled Irish professionals with first-hand experience of business in Asia.
The value of Irish networks is seen in the enhanced support for business & technology networks such as the Silicon Valley based Irish Technology Leadership Group.
A further achievement was President Clinton’s "Invest in Ireland" Forum in New York in February, 2012.
The outcomes of the 2013 Forum will be presented to Government shortly and a plan will be put in place to ensure that the hard work carried out over the two days is brought to fruition. The inclusion of Regional Roundtables and networking opportunities for SMEs, both north and south, will also hopefully produce tangible outcomes for Irish businesses.
119. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on an all-island economy. [44111/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy ambition for the all-island economy is for well-educated, highly-trained and confident people North and South working cooperatively and successfully together for the economic benefit of this island. The Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy, launched in October 2006, set out an ambitious range of strategies and collaborative actions aimed at maximising the competitive advantages of the island. Through constructive engagement with Northern Ireland Ministers, we continue to build on the findings of that study, to develop initiatives designed to boost economic activity on the island and to eliminate market distortions arising from the existence of the border. We are far better off working together than separately, and the development of an all-island economy is in everyone's interests. Promoting an all-island identity has already proved very successful in the Tourism sector, where Tourism Ireland has successfully marketed the island throughout the world.
Progress on an all-island basis also continues to be made in the area of Innovation which is now a major priority both North and South with hundreds of research scientific projects underway involving partners from universities and institutes of technology. As we focus on promoting jobs and growth, it is also important that we maximise co-operation and participation in current and forthcoming EU Framework programmes for research and technological development. InterTrade Ireland, in addition to encouraging small and medium enterprises to maximise commercial opportunities across the island, has developed programmes specifically to help SMEs develop their innovative and exporting capabilities, and to encourage and stimulate greater co-operation and increased applications for Framework Programmes funding.
I am convinced that with the agencies, North and South, cooperating in marketing our innovative island and on investment promotion and overseas trade missions, this will be the engine that ensures there will be a bright economic future for this island.
I believe that the potential for intra-island trade and economic activity has not yet been fully tapped and that there is scope for increasing the levels of trade in both directions. In support of this we clearly need to assist our SMEs in whatever ways we can. This in turn can safeguard jobs, and encourage cross-border investments. InterTrade Ireland is already doing excellent work in this area.
The opportunities to work together in developing trade links with the key emerging markets on an all-island basis are clear. Our Embassies continue to be available to assist trade missions from both parts of the island and individual companies from either North or South or on an all-island basis to take advantage of opportunities for mutual cooperation.
Discussions on financial and economic matters feature at all Plenary meetings of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). At the recent NSMC plenary meeting in Armagh on 8 November 2013 discussions covered a wide range of financial, economic and EU matters including the actions being undertaken to help support economic recovery, the importance of attracting Foreign Direct Investment and ensuring adequate access to credit within the banking sector in each jurisdiction.
In the context of the St Andrews Agreement Review, Ministers are considering their priorities for further co-operation in their respective sectoral areas.
We will continue to work closely and constructively with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive to examine how we can jointly support economic growth and the creation of jobs on the island and will continue to look at areas where we can expand mutually beneficial cooperation, find economies of scale and seek to eliminate unnecessary duplication in the provision of services.
In particular, there is a pressing need to create jobs, especially for our young people. Youth unemployment is an urgent priority across this island, and Ministers have agreed that, where possible, we should work together to make the most of the common approaches being taken North and South to deal with this key issue.
The recent Global Irish Economic Forum focused on opportunities for job creation, especially for the young, and on economic growth. I was clear that this year's Forum should provide an opportunity to plan and to strategise on an all-island basis. That is why I asked that one of the three regional events take place in Belfast. Very significantly representatives of Northern companies and business groups also attended roundtable discussions with Network members as part of the main Forum event at Dublin Castle. The indications are that genuine contacts were established with real prospects for assisting the export growth of businesses with all-island business interests. It is clear that the Northern business community have recognised how much the economy, North and South, can gain from such co-operation.
120. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions held with First Minister Robinson and Deputy First Minister McGuinness in respect of the programme of work being conducted in Northern Ireland by Dr Richard Haass. [44110/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI regularly meet with the First Minister and deputy First Ministers for discussions on a range of issues. The Taoiseach and I met with both the First Minister and the deputy First Minister most recently en marge of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh on 9 November. I also met with deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in Derry on 19 October and with First Minister Peter Robinson in Belfast on 10 November. Amongst the issues discussed on each occasion were the Panel of Parties talks on parades, flags and emblems and the past currently ongoing under the Chairmanship of Richard Haass and the Vice-Chairmanship of Meghan O'Sullivan. Both party leaders are actively engaged in the talks process. I conveyed the Government's belief that the process presents an opportunity to reaffirm the commitments made throughout the hard-won peace process and to making further progress towards advancing reconciliation and the creation of a truly reconciled and prosperous society in Northern Ireland. I recalled that whilst the issues to be addressed in the talks are difficult and contentious, I had encouraged Dr Haass to be ambitious in his approach and for all talks' participants to engage actively with the process. I assured them that the Irish Government is ready and willing to support the process in any way we can.
121. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the date which has been agreed to set aside to hold a week long debate on the outworking of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47676/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is a matter of the highest priority for this Government. I value the contribution made by the Houses of the Oireachtas in this regard, as shown by the motion adopted last May by Dáil Éireann to coincide with the Agreement's fifteenth anniversary. The valuable work of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, through its regular meetings and through visits by delegations from the Committee to Northern Ireland, ensures that there is ongoing cross-party debate and consideration of issues relating to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
123. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his engagement with the Middle East peace talks; if he condemns the announcement by Israel that it plans to build new settlements in east Jerusalem; the actions he has taken as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48995/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the Middle East peace process is proceeding in satisfactory fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49541/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 146 together.
The Israeli and Palestinian sides are negotiating directly, with the United States as the only outside observer. The role of Ireland and our EU partners is therefore to support and encourage both parties in their engagement together, and work on how EU policies can help this, including by addressing issues which are damaging to prospects for peace.
The talks have been proceeding in regular session, and the parties have endured domestic criticism to enter them and have remained engaged. These are positive signs. Last week, however, the Palestinian negotiating team offered their resignations to President Abbas, stating that Israel was not engaging seriously, and no real negotiations were talking place. This is clearly very worrying, and resonates with concerns which we had ourselves.
But there is simply no point in generating headlines and pressure about this process. The parties are wisely and commendably saying as little as possible about this in public, and we need to do the same.
I will of course be discussing the position, and whether the EU can do anything to help, with my EU colleagues, and indeed with any relevant actors, in the period ahead.
Continuous settlement announcements by Israel have clearly been damaging to the confidence which is the only basis for any talks process such as this. The announcement of new settlement projects last week, later suspended, was startling in both its size and locations, and clearly damaging.
However that announcement related to a preliminary stage in the planning process, not to actual building, and has now been suspended. I am more concerned in many ways with actual ongoing construction, and with the continuing waves of evictions and demolitions which are part and parcel of the settlement process. I made clear this concern in a statement I issued on 1 November relating to plans for a further 1,500 settlement units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
