Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his priorities for the remainder of his term in office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32777/14]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his priorities for 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32864/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 53 together.

The mission of my Department remains to promote and protect abroad the values, interests and economic well-being of Ireland and its people. The further development of the all-island economy and political stability in Northern Ireland are high priorities for this Government. The Government is working with the British Government, with the Northern Ireland Executive and with civil society actors, North and South, to advance implementation of the Good Friday and Saint Andrews Agreements, to take forward North South cooperation, and to foster an inclusive approach towards commemorating the centenary of historical events making up the Decade of Commemorations. Through my Department’s Reconciliation Fund we will offer support to community initiatives that aim to repair those issues which lead to division, conflict and barriers to a deeply reconciled and peaceful society; and to build a strong civil society that encompasses all communities, and promotes respect for all. In the North South Ministerial Council, the Government will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to advance areas of practical North South cooperation which are of mutual benefit. The vital work of restoring our international reputation and promoting our economic recovery are at the heart of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with our mission network playing a particular crucial role. An ongoing priority is the implementation of the February review of the Government Trade Tourism and Investment which focuses on how we co-ordinate our work abroad to provide the best possible platform for the Embassy network, the State agencies and the private sector to win business overseas, to attract greater levels of foreign direct investment, and create jobs at home. I look forward to taking this work forward, together with a number of my Cabinet colleagues, in my capacity as chair of the Export Trade Council.

I am acutely conscious of the need for Ireland to adapt to the global shifts in economic and political power towards the east and south. Ireland has a strategic interest in broadening and deepening our relationships with the countries in Asia to ensure that we can benefit from the opportunities that will arise as the continent continues to develop, as well as having influence in a region that will help shape global developments in the decades to come. We will also continue to develop our relationship with the Latin American and Caribbean region which, like Asia, includes a number of exploratory and high potential markets for Ireland, as identified in the review of the Government Trade Tourism and Investment Strategy.

Engagement with our EU partners and the broader region will remain a priority for promoting and protecting our interests. Ireland will continue to be a strong supporter of the EU Enlargement policy, which is one of the Union’s most powerful tools in pursuing our strategic objective of promoting peace, stability, democracy and prosperity throughout Europe. My Department will continue to coordinate with other Government Departments in identifying and promoting issues of national interest in the EU’s negotiations with enlargement countries.

Improving the effectiveness of the Eastern Partnership will be a key challenge for the EU in the period ahead and Ireland will support initiatives aimed at achieving this objective. In this context, we will prioritise the ratification by Ireland of the EU Association Agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine which were signed at the June European Council.

In my new role, I am deeply conscious of Ireland’s proud tradition in international affairs as a country which seeks to promote and share its values. I am determined to continue to advance long-standing priorities in areas of key importance to Ireland and to ensure that we seek at every opportunity, to make a direct and significant contribution to the promotion of global peace and stability, notably through our membership of the United Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe and the OSCE, as well as through bilateral action.

The crisis in Ukraine, coupled with the profound implications for the EU’s relations with Russia, will remain an important priority on the international agenda for some time. We will continue to engage closely with our EU partners in supporting international efforts aimed at de-escalating the crisis and finding a peaceful, inclusive and negotiated settlement.

Ireland will also remain actively engaged in promoting a more active EU role in relation to the Middle East Peace Process and in sustaining the viability of a negotiated, two-State solution. Ireland will also seek to maintain the strong profile it has in addressing the appalling humanitarian situation arising from the conflict in Syria and will support all efforts to promote a political resolution both in Syria and Iraq which is now also experiencing serious internal conflict.

In the area of human rights we will use the remainder of our Human Rights Council term to prioritise national initiatives on promoting and protecting the operating environment for civil society and preventable mortality and morbidity of children under five. 2015 will be a crucial year in the sphere of disarmament and non-proliferation with Ireland actively involved in preparations for the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and supporting progress towards the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty.

Our development aid programme with its overall aim of reducing poverty and hunger, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, gives expression to the best of Ireland’s values and will continue to be a major priority. Over the next 18 months, the implementation of the Government’s 2013 policy One World, One Futurewill inform much of our work in this area. The Policy sets out three guiding principles for our international aid programme: reduced hunger and stronger resilience; sustainable development and inclusive economic growth; and better governance, human rights and accountability. Ireland will also continue to be centrally engaged in the Post 2015 development framework that will succeed the Millennium Development Goals. Throughout this work we will maintain our commitment to the highest standards of openness, transparency and accountability to the Irish people and to our development partners and maintain our strong focus on achieving real and sustainable development results in order to maximise the impact and effectiveness of our programme.

The provision of an excellent and efficient service to our citizens will of course remain a central focus in my Department. Ongoing work on the reform of the passport service is a particular priority as it is providing opportunities for new and improved services for passport customers; more secure and efficient processes for the Passport Service; increasing staffing efficiencies and providing financial savings for the Department.

My Department will also develop and publish a Government strategy on Ireland’s engagement with our Diaspora and emigrant communities. Consultations with these communities are already under way, and this work will be carried forward by the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for the Irish Abroad. In terms of our relations with the United States, we will maintain our ongoing efforts to secure an outcome on Immigration Reform that will serve the needs of undocumented Irish citizens in the US and also provide legal pathway for Irish citizens wishing to live and work in the US in the future.

Ireland’s foreign policy is an essential element of Government. It is the means by which we promote our values and pursue our interests abroad. Through it, we pursue Ireland’s economic prosperity, ensure the well-being of the Irish people, and promote peace and security, both at home and in the wider world. Our foreign policy is also a statement of who we are as a people.

I intend shortly to bring forward a comprehensive review of Ireland’s foreign policy. The purpose of the review, which was initiated in 8 October 2013 and has involved a broad-based process of consultation including Government Departments, State Agencies, the Oireachtas, civil society and members of the public, is to provide an updated statement of Ireland’s foreign policy and external relations, and to identify a series of recommendations for its conduct.