Ms Safak Pavey:

I will do so as much as I can. I extend cead mile fáilte. I thank the Chairman and members of the committee for hosting us. Since this is the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, I wish to start with Turkey and the European Union, and how important it is to keep the European Union goal on the roadmap of Turkey, both for us and for Europe. A Europe without Turkey would be confined to its own continent. A Turkey without the values and principles of harmonisation with Europe would be confined or would become a prison. We really would like to see this progress happening. So far Ireland has been a very supportive partner nation in that regard. I express appreciation for Deputy Durkan's words. It was great to hear his views and encouraging words in support of Turkish membership.

I turn to the secular issues Deputy Eric Byrne mentioned. Of course we have concerns over some legislation being changed in the area of education. The concern for the future is whether we will be able to reconcile Islam, democracy and secularism which would mean that Turkey would be the only actor that would manage that in the region.

That is why the European Union’s roadmap is so important. It will keep Turkey on the right track.

The accession talks actually started on 12 September 1963, more than 50 years ago. This has been a long and somewhat prolonged engagement and we need some parties to celebrate this. While it may not be an official wedding yet, we need some positive encouragement. That is why we also welcome the positive agenda in our EU accession committee given by the European Commissioner, Mr. Štefan Füle.

The main issue of meetings such as this is the working out of the mutual basis of Irish-Turkish public opinion on Turkish EU membership. If we really believe Turkish membership is the right direction for Europe and Turkey, we need to work genuinely on bringing public opinion to view it more positively. If any committee members visit our country, we would welcome them to view membership not as an abstract concept but one that would have positive developments on working conditions, for example. It is important Turkey would examine chapters 23 and 24 of the EU enlargement acquison fundamental rights and freedoms.

These are some of the issues that I put as food for thought to the committee. I welcome any further questions from members.