Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for attending. He was in my constituency earlier while I was representing his interests in his constituency in his absence and I hope we were both successful.

On the previous issue, the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, is well placed to be a positive influence during his visit to Russia and I have no doubt that he will reinforce the issues raised at the other committee meeting yesterday to good effect. It is important that this be done on a regular basis.

With regard to Bosnia-Herzegovina, it was well known for many years that the situation in the western Balkans was going to be a difficult issue to deal with comprehensively, satisfactorily and successfully and that it could not be dealt with through standard enlargement negotiations.

The recent street violence in the region is enough to indicate that it is time for the European Union in general to focus on the issues involved, to try to deal with them in a more expeditious way and to address the issues and concerns that are obviously now uppermost in the minds of the people. Civil unrest in a situation that is volatile, to say the least, is something that can bring all of the effort to date to nil.

Let us reflect on the war in Bosnia. Much tearing of hair, beating of breasts and shedding of crocodile tears took place throughout Europe and the free world while the free world tied its hands behind its back, looked on and did nothing about it. I recognise the Minister of State is focused on this area and I hope he will convey to the European Commission and his colleagues the importance of focusing on the issue once again. It will not go away by itself and it will not melt. It requires ongoing treatment, as is the case in all similar situations throughout the globe where there has been a history of political division, doubt, prejudice and, sometimes, hatred. Add to this situation all the ingredients with which we are familiar in this country and it becomes a recipe for disaster.

I have some concerns about climate change and energy. I am somewhat confused about where Europe is going with energy and the generation of electricity using non-fossil fuels. We know that the Union has changed its targets in this area in recent times. However, it has not been explained to us in any great detail the reason for the change of targets or the reason for the shift from wind energy to other sources of energy. I reckon I might know the answer but I am keen to have it explained by those who make the decisions. They should recognise that we in this country have had a debate on the issue for some considerable time and we thought we had the answers heretofore. If the Commission moves away from what it has already committed to, it can leave individual member states in particular situations isolated on the shore.

I have no wish to comment in detail on EU Africa relations, save to say it is a good thing. However, the Minister of State should be careful and watchful in the area of trade versus aid. Several countries have placed one against the other - trade for aid -and the combination has been of dubious benefit to the people for whom it was intended. We need to consider this carefully. Some countries are benefiting to a far greater extent than those who give aid without any conditions and the European Union should keep an eye on this.

I raised the matter of genetically modified organisms and maize at the last meeting. I am pleased to see that it is featuring in discussions. These may have implications for this country and we need ongoing reassurance in this area.

I will try to come to a quick conclusion on Ukraine. It was interesting to listen to the Russian ambassador. We have had previous discussions with the Ukrainian ambassador and several other people. There is a difference of opinion about how things should happen in such situations. However, there is a certain similarity between the way the situation is unfolding in Ukraine and the situation that unfolded previously in the Western Balkans. There is a possibility that when unilateral action is taken nothing else can happen of a remedial nature to address the political, social and economic issues that arise. There are implications for everyone in the region politically, economically and diplomatically if the current conflict is allowed to continue. The European Union must be more insistent - I realise that word carries a certain amount of doubt - in asserting recognition of the rule of law. In other words, it is not a good idea for a neighbouring country in one way or another to superimpose its authority on an adjoining country within or outside Europe Union and it will lead to a serious problem for all of us in the event of things progressing in that direction.

My final point is something I have referred to many times before and I believe the European Union must address this issue. There is evidence to suggest that some member states within the Union look outside the Union or seek to have a preference for a looser arrangement with it. There are several countries to which this applies. I have no wish to go through the list but they are well known at this stage. As far as I can see, if that trend is allowed to continue indefinitely, if it remains in place and is not answered or addressed and if nothing is done to change the emphasis then, ultimately, it will lead to a lesser European entity in future. Individual member states and those with an association outside the Union will feel free to travel in their own way gaining benefit from having access to membership with none of the responsibilities involved in being part and parcel of the inner sanctum of the European Union. I am sorry for going on for so long but I had indicated at the beginning of the meeting and unfortunately you did not see me. It is not that I have diminished to that extent in the course of time, I hope.