Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are a lot of questions with a lot of detail, quite a number of which are probably outside the scope of this committee. I will start with Deputy Crowe's question on youth unemployment because there is no doubt that it is the big social and economic issue Europe must address. Getting young people into employment means growing the European economy, which is why we have put a very strong emphasis on completing the Single Market. There is a range of dossiers that remain to be completed in the Single Market that are being taken forward by the individual Ministers in their capacities as chairs of their various Council formations. They include mobility of pensions. There is one on a professional qualifications directive, while there is work being done on the digital Single Market, including e-signatures and cyber-security. Specific dossiers and legislative proposals in these areas are being taken forward.

The second issue concerns trade and I have already spoken about the potential for trade to grow the European economy. The third issue is the completion of the decisions made in June on a compact for jobs and growth, which we want to see progressed and implemented and will be driving forward. The fourth issue concerns proposals specific to young people. A set of Commission proposals have been produced and will be dealt with by the Minister for Social Protection in her capacity as chair of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council. A proposal for a youth guarantee to which we attach a lot of importance and to which the Minister for Social Protection hopes to get agreement, is included in that.

On the Middle East peace process, it is hoped that, in the aftermath of the US presidential election and the elections in Israel, there will be an opportunity to make progress. It remains to be seen whether the government formed following yesterday's elections in Israel will take a different position from that which has been adopted up to now. If it does not do so, the question of external pressure will come centre stage. A critical aspect in this regard will be the role the European Union will play. Regrettably, Israel effectively is implementing certain settlement plans, which will render a two-state solution impossible. The European Union must respond to this action. That is why I hope that during our Presidency the Foreign Affairs Council will return to the conclusions reached last May on such settlements. I hope it will also consider events in the region and whether meaningful discussions are under way in reaching a settlement. We must respond in whatever way we can to what is taking place. One of the options the Foreign Affairs Council may be obliged to consider is placing a ban on the importation of products originating in the settlements.

Ireland is now a member of the UN Human Rights Council. In conjunction with our Presidency of the European Union, our membership of the Council is going to be important. We will certainly ventilate our views on the action plan on human rights agreed last June.

The sanctions on Iran were introduced with a view to bringing that country to the negotiating table. They had the effect of doing so, but when one gets to the table, one must negotiate. There have been a number of rounds of E3+3 discussions and while there has been a great deal of talk, a satisfactory outcome has not been forthcoming. This is a matter in respect of which we want to see progress being made. We are very vigilant with regard to measures which might have a disproportionate impact on the Iranian people. I reiterate, therefore, that the purpose of the sanctions was to bring Iran to the negotiating table and encourage it to negotiate. The issue of its right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme is not in question. However, that development must take place under the provisions of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, to which Iran is a party, and involve full implementation of the IAEA's safeguards agreement.

The issue of Irish personnel serving on the EU training mission to Mali is being considered by the Minister for Defence. If it is proposed that Irish personnel serve on the mission, the Minister will bring the matter to the Government.

In the context of heading 4 of the European Union aid budget, reference was made to cutting the budget. It is important that we get matters right in this regard. The proposed cut relates to the Commission's original proposals which we support. They made provision for a substantial increase under heading 4 and in the context of the development aid budget of the European Union. President Van Rompuy's current proposals would still involve an approximate increase of 8% in the European Union's overall budget for development aid. They also make provision for a 2% increase in the European Development Fund, outside the main budget, and, at the request of the UNHCR, for the removal of the emergency aid budget from the main budget. Again, there is a significant increase proposed in respect of the latter. I am very familiar with these figures because I was involved in a lengthy discussion on this matter this morning with Mr. Bill Gates in his capacity as head of the Gates Foundation. We are working closely with it in the context of our development programme. Mr. Gates was very interested in being updated on where the discussions on the European Union budget stood. These discussions are extremely significant because the European Union provides approximately 55% of the total world aid budget, making it the largest single contributor. What happens with the European Union's budget is, therefore, hugely significant.

Deputy Seán Crowe also inquired about conflict resolution. Ireland's experience in this area feeds into our commitment to prevent conflicts. During our 2004 Presidency of the European Union we organised a major conference on conflict prevention and the role of civil society. We have been consistent in the attention we have paid to this topic. We will, of course, build on the lessons we learned in respect of this matter during our chairmanship of the OSCE.

Deputy Eric Byrne referred to the importance of trade, a matter on which I commented. We are operating in a globalised economic environment and very much focused on attracting inward investment to encourage job creation. We are also focused on promoting exports and trade out of Ireland. Irrespective of the debate that takes place in Britain on its relationship with the European Union, we will be making it absolutely clear that Ireland's place is within the Union. We will provide that certainty in this regard for investors and potential investors.

On the situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region, the European Union underlines the importance of maintaining stability in the region and on ensuring there will be no negative repercussions for neighbouring countries. We have, therefore, reiterated our commitment to supporting Mali's neighbourhood states within the framework of our strategy for the Sahel region in order to strengthen their security and development. The High Representative has been asked to present a Council decision immediately in order that an EU special representative for the Sahel region can be appointed rapidly. It is vital to do everything possible to curb the growth of terrorism in the region.

I take the opportunity to roundly condemn the recent terrorist action in Algeria, namely, the seizing of hostages. Some of the hostages were Algerians, while many others were from different countries. Included among their number was an Irish citizen, Mr. Stephen McFaul. The people involved were working at a particular installation which was seized by terrorists and their lives were put at risk. Unfortunately, many of the hostages lost their lives. I express my sympathy and that of the Government to the families of those killed. We are still receiving reports on what actually happened in this instance, but it is clear that it was a very difficult situation. When we have completed a comprehensive examination of the facts, it may be possible to make an assessment of what occurred. There should be no doubt, however, that responsibility rests with the terrorists who seized the hostages.

I agree with Senator David Norris on the alarming nature of the building of settlements by Israel. I have referred to the conclusions reached in this regard last May. The issue of settlement goods will obviously have to be considered when the Foreign Affairs Council carries out its review of the conclusions. As the Senator will be aware, I have referred to heading 4 of the European Union's multiannual financial framework, MFF.

The issue of the DRC is under consideration by my Department and I expect it to be before the Foreign Affairs Council. The Senator asked about climate change and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is handling those discussions. He is in Brussels and I spoke to him earlier. I might pass and get a letter for the Senator on the matter.