Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for attending. I am proud we are sitting here as a collective dealing with European affairs against the backdrop of the announcement by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste that Ireland will see the troika leave on 15 December and that we will no longer be seeking extra financial supports. As this is the Irish European affairs committee, it is important to convey not only to the Irish public but to the European public, and particularly to those other countries facing financial constraints and difficulties, that Ireland is extremely proud of that, notwithstanding the obligations placed on the sovereign by the European Union vis-à-vis the Central Bank to carry the buck for the bankers. Although it was unfair, this country has done a remarkable job in two and a half years and I want the message to go out to our European partners that Ireland has succeeded in regaining its sovereignty, that it is proud it has regained its sovereignty, and that it is happy to work alongside other countries in distressed financial straits with a view to reunifying the European project around fiscal stability. I am extremely proud, after two and a half years of difficulties for this country, that in December we can raise the tricolour for the second time under the new Republic.

As I am a member of the foreign affairs committee, many of the issues I will touch on have an international context. The Chairman mentioned the discussions with Turkey. I strongly support the Turkish and the Ukrainian relationship with Europe and I ask the Minister to outline how matters progressed at the conference on 5 November. The 22nd chapter was being opened with Turkey and I would advocate strongly that we should continue to show Turkey this country's commitment to its efforts in involving itself in a greater way with Europe.

I ask the Minister of State to give me an update on Ukraine, and what we read in the newspapers is positive in that regard. The problem for Ukraine is that Tymoshenko - a name that rolls off everybody's lips - was reputed to have done an unsustainable deal on energy with the Russians that bankrupted Ukraine. The issues of energy and Ukraine go hand in glove. Given the pressures Russia is applying on the peripheral states, be it Moldova, Ukraine or Armenia - it twisted the arms of the Armenians so much that I understand Armenia has pulled out of its developments with Europe - can we take it the Ukrainian Government is attempting to progress matters but it is under phenomenal pressure from Russia, which has threatened them - these are the winter months in Ukraine - that if it developed the relationship and does not adhere to the customs union the Russians want, it will cut off supplies? I ask that the Minister be sympathetic to the conditions prevailing in Ukraine and the pressures it is under.

I welcome that Albania is about to engage in the accession process. Having been to Albania, I was most impressed by its rate of development, given its history and its isolation in the past. It also should be encouraged.

The key areas and the challenges the European Council will have to confront are very interesting. The migration flows issue is coming very much into focus, particularly in the Mediterranean regions. In terms of the different roles, which I do not fully understand, is Frontex the agency of the European Union that will control migration? Is the Minister happy that it is sufficiently resourced? Could he explain Frontex's different functions with the European External Action Service because in the future we will have the debate about military security? We saw that the French had to act alone in going into Mali to release prisoners. I know that piracy and kidnapping in Africa, involving captains of ships, is common. Is the Minister of State satisfied that we can play a sufficient role with our partners in identifying the threats made against European interests by these pirates?

The youth guarantee is the key issue. The Minister of State might have some information but I understand the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, was in Europe discussing the youth guarantee. I hear figures of €100 million or €200 million may be available here to target youth projects. Will the Minster confirm the approximate figure? I believe the ballpark figure for Europe is €6 billion. Has the Minister any idea of the type of funding Ireland might be able to claim of that €6 billion?

I refer to the Minister's contribution. One of the main priorities of the coming year is modernising public administration. I do not know whether that is in reference to European or Irish public administration. We have just gone through two and a half years of the bailout and we had to restructure our entire society. Will the Minister of State tell me, under the modernisation of public administration as a priority aspect, if there is a view that Irish public administration is in further need of modernisation? Can the Minister give us a hint as to the area of modernisation that is required? I thank the Minister of State.