Written answers
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Programme for Government Implementation
Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the commitments in the programme for Government under his remit; if the commitment has been met or is in the process of being met; the estimated time for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34681/13]
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I have set out in the table below the current status of each of the recommendations in the Programme for Government for which the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility. Those commitments which continue to be in progress represent sustained and ongoing actions, rather than discrete undertakings for which a completion date is envisaged.
Further consideration of the proposal to transfer the Passport Service to the Department of Justice and Equality is on hold pending the introduction of a number of service enhancements, which my department is undertaking as part of the Government’s Integrated Reform Delivery Plan. Considerable progress has been made to date in delivering these enhancements.
A feasibility study was carried out during 2012 into the development of a humanitarian hub at Shannon Airport. The conclusion from this assessment was that there is limited feasibility to the idea of developing the airport in the manner in which was envisaged in the Programme for Government commitment. This view is based on an assessment of costs and benefits and is a result of consultation with a large number of international humanitarian actors and potential end users of such a hub. This will therefore not proceed and this action is completed.
Jobs Programme
| IN PROGRESS | Initiate a long-term strategy to develop new markets in emerging economies |
Increasing Exports
| COMPLETED | We will establish an Export Trade Council to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all key departments and agencies involved in promotion and development of trade and exports, whose membership will be divided equally between government and private sector representatives who have experience in establishing and growing export-oriented business. |
|---|---|
| COMPLETED | We will position Ireland to develop better trade relationships with emerging economies, including the establishment of local trade and investment teams. These teams will execute detailed local market plan, with progress against targets reviewed annually. |
| COMPLETED | We will develop cultural and diplomatic links with emerging markets including a scholarship scheme. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will actively develop the export of educational services. |
Innovation and Commercialisation
| IN PROGRESS | We will progressively implement the recommendations in the Trading and Investing in the Smart Economy Report |
The National Parliament and the European Union
| COMPLETED | We propose that the week in which the 9th May, “Europe Day” falls will be the occasion for a week-long parliamentary debate on Ireland's priorities within the EU. The debate will review the national progress in implementing the current year's work programme and focus on identifying the major issues of concern to Ireland for inclusion on the following year's EU Draft work Programme. |
Passports, Citizenship, Immigration and Asylum
| PENDING | Consideration will be given to transferring the passport service from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Justice to operate as an Independent Executive Agency under the aegis of that Department. |
Foreign Affairs, ODA and Defence
| IN PROGRESS/COMPLETED | We will ensure that our diplomatic network aids the repair of our reputation through a transparent and responsible approach to winning inward investment and we will recall Ireland's Ambassadors within 100 days of this new government for briefings on a new approach to promoting and marketing Ireland as a country to do business in. |
|---|---|
| COMPLETED | We will review the 2006 White Paper on Overseas Development Aid. |
| IN PROGRESS | In times of humanitarian crises, we will unite NGOs that provide humanitarian aid to create a single appeals mechanism for national fundraising and public response. This will maximise publicity for the cause, the receipt of emergency funds and ensure the effective and co-ordinated dispersal of emergency aid. The State will financially support these NGOs in their response. |
| IN PROGRESS | We are committed to the 0.7% of GNP target for Overseas Development Aid. We will seek to achieve this by 2015. |
| COMPLETED | We will position Ireland, in particular Shannon airport, to become an international hub for the storage and distribution of emergency humanitarian supplies. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will seek to establish a Civilian Corps, which could allow some job seekers use and share their skills in developing countries while retaining some job seeker's benefit. |
| COMPLETED | We will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law. |
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