Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Gold for her presentation, which was, to put mildly, the solution to all the world's problems. It is hard to respond to it. Mr. Jim Clarken mentioned the need to put on paper how all of the aspirations expressed in the document will be implemented. The Minister has indicated that the next step is to publish an implementation document. That is coming but the point is well made.

Policy coherence is a huge area and it is hard enough to get policy coherence within one country. Then, it must be done throughout the EU and the rest of the world. On bio-fuels alone, the EU policy was introduced with the best of intentions and was seen as an environmentally-friendly measure but it took years to get it introduced and it is now a big ship that must be turned around. There were unintended consequences, which have been recognised, but turning it around will also have consequences for European farmers. It will take time to completely undo what was done for the best reasons, which turned out not to be the best idea. Environmental policy changes all the time in any event when things like that happen.

At least there is a recognition that there is a major problem in regard to tax evasion.

On the millennium development goals' which are very close to my heart, I have raised a number of the issues involved by way of parliamentary question or Topical Issue debate with the Minister. There was a move to change the language used in terms of a commitment to gender equality, maternal health and reproductive rights. There was pressure from other European Union countries and the last meeting on 28 May agreed a draft EU position and the language was changed. I was pleasantly surprised to see quite strong statements being made. It will go to the Environment Council of Ministers on 18 June and be formally adopted by the General Affairs Council on 25 June. I was conscious that in our role as President we really would have to push this issue and I am reasonably happy with what has been agreed.

The European Union will have a significant input into what will eventually come out of New York, but it is something of which even little Ireland which will no longer hold the Presidency must be mindful and continue to push at every opportunity. The committee is very committed to doing this. As was said, we are not yet done. It extends to 2015. Are there 15 objectives?