Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept what Senator Norris says but we are a sovereign Parliament and I believe we should have an opportunity to debate the issues. The negotiations provide a valuable opportunity to create a new generation ISDS model that would address the concerns raised here and in the Dáil by way of parliamentary questions. I will convey the views of the members to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton. Ultimately, what we need to strive for is a fair and reasonable option to which investors would have recourse for legitimate reasons. I would be happy to convey the views of the meeting to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

On the matter of Ukraine, Deputy Smith raised the issue of the current ceasefire and the security situation in eastern Ukraine. I stress, and he will agree, that it is crucial for all sides to fully subscribe and implement the commitments to which they signed up in September in Minsk. Reports in recent days of renewed shelling and increased movement of troops and heavy equipment in the separatist areas are disturbing. This issue will be very high on the agenda next week at European Union level.

On the question of sanctions, they will be dependent on the evolving situation on the ground. We will review the situation on Monday.

Deputy Byrne mentioned the specific issue of the association agreements. I hope we would be in a position to complete the agreements not only in respect of Ukraine but also on the matter of Georgia and Moldova.

I hope these association agreements will be brought before the Dáil over the coming months and the ratification process can be completed. I would be happy to engage directly with Deputy Eric Byrne on that issue.

Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan raised the issue of funding for combating Ebola. There is no diversion of funds in this respect. She will appreciate, however, that much of the funding for the region is administered by non-governmental organisations and we are very well-served on the ground in the stricken areas. I am conscious of the need to ensure the overseas development aid budget is maintained and reserved for what it is designed to do. Funding for the Ebola virus relief is ring-fenced.

Deputy Crowe inquired of Bahrain. As he is not present, I will drop a note on that to the committee secretariat later.

I was directly engaged at the September UN General Assembly about the issue of the millennium development goals. Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr. David Donoghue, was appointed, along with his counterpart in Kenya, to jointly lead the co-facilitation negotiations on the post-2015 agenda, including the organisation of the modalities for the intergovernmental negotiations and remaining issues. It is an area in which the Irish reputation is very high. Deputy Olivia Mitchell can be assured that Mr. Donoghue will continue in that vein. I am sure the committee will have an opportunity of directly negotiating with Mr. Donoghue. He is quite enthusiastic about his position. It is important Ireland is in a lead role in this area.

I will speak to Senator Mullins privately on the issue of the relaxation of the EU admission criteria for Bosnia in private. On the Northern situation, I would be happy to come back to address a joint meeting with the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I have spoken to the Minister for Justice and Equality on the matter of prisoners. I know she is taking an initiative in that regard.