Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the Tánaiste's very comprehensive statement. In regard to his concluding remarks, I welcome the fact that the conference on hunger, nutrition and climate change was successful and commend the Department and the Mary Robinson Foundation on their initiative in hosting the conference. We all welcome communiqués and declarations. It is the follow-up and the action, needed by so many international powers of major countries, that is vital.

In regard to World Trade Organization talks, trade is part of the Minister's brief. I note that the European Commissioner for trade is Commissioner de Gucht. Does the need to conclude a plenary level WTO agreement feature in the Council of Foreign Ministers in view of the fact that it is important for the developing countries and from a development co-operation point of view? We had the opportunity during Question Time on Holy Thursday to deal with most of the issues covered.

I wish to reflect on the situation in Syria. Some 70,000 lives have been lost and there are a million refugees. It is a desperate situation that needs the utmost consideration and whatever can be done must be done. I welcome the fact that the Minister has provided additional humanitarian aid. One of the concerns expressed by some of the groups who take a particular interest in that region is that the aid will not reach the people most in need. There have been allegations that the humanitarian aid has been going in disproportionate measures to supporters of the Assad regime. That is an important issue that should be dealt with and we need to get a message out that humanitarian aid provided by the taxpayer and the international community is reaching the people most in need and is not being abused by the supporters of one particular regime. Russia's role continues to remain crucial. Is there any sense of amelioration in its attitude? The Minister made a statement here which I welcome that: "Ireland does not favour any actions which could contribute to greater militarisation in the conflict." It is important to keep reiterating that particular view and policy of the Government and, hopefully, of the European Union also.

In regard to the Middle East peace process, I am pleased there has been a greater engagement by the US since President Obama's re-election.

Secretary of State, John Kerry, has visited the region three times since his recent appointment to his position. The European Union must continue to reiterate the need for genuine negotiations on a two-state solution and the involvement of the United States and the European Union in these negotiations is crucial. In the meetings with the Secretary of State, did he give the Tánaiste any indication of hope for advancing the process? It might not be possible for him to do that at this early stage, but I am sure that because of his long-standing interest in foreign relations and his long-standing work in Congress he gave some indication of his view.

With regard to EU-US relations and the proposed trade deal, we would welcome that. However, from the point of view of Ireland and the European Union, some vital areas need to be protected. I refer in particular to some of our food products, particularly beef.

I understand European Union enlargement is an issue that will be discussed at the next Foreign Affairs Council. An issue I raised previously has been brought to my attention again by some interest groups who are advocates for Bosnia. A message that has come across forcefully to me in correspondence and through phone calls is that Ireland should advocate that the European Union conduct a reassessment of its approach in Bosnia. These people state that the current strategy is not working, but I do not have the knowledge to say how accurate is their assessment or whether this view is common in other member states. One of the phrases in common use in statements from the Tánaiste and Department over the years concerns the importance of "local ownership". Representations made to me indicate that all significant power in Bosnia is concentrated among six political party leaders and it has been suggested these people are not accountable to their citizens. Is there any sense there is a need for a reassessment of European Union policy for that region? We are aware of the disastrous situation that pertained there in the 1990s and that political progress has not been made. This view comes across strongly from people and groups with a particular interest in that region. If it is not possible for the Tánaiste to give a comprehensive response on this today, will he return to the committee at some stage and outline his views and those of the Departments on any emerging trends in the European Union in this regard?