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

I acknowledge the comments of Deputies Eric Byrne, Quinn and Smith and everybody on the very positive contribution made by Ireland to international peace, security and human rights. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I find everywhere I go that the contribution over a long number of years and the status of Ireland in this area are widely acknowledged and very much in evidence. It is something of a cliché to say that we punch above our weight but the reality is that we enjoy a very high and widely acknowledged reputation over a range of issues. I acknowledge everybody involved in the team and my predecessors over a number of years.

I will deal briefly with the points at issue. Deputy Crowe mentioned the reduction in funding for international organisations. He is right but this is based on a prudent estimate of the needs this time last year which was not required to be met in the heel of the hunt.

Deputy Smith raised the very important issue of UN Security Council reform. This is a difficult and challenging endeavour. Negotiations on the reform of the UN Security Council and structures have been proceeding for the best part of two decades but, unfortunately, without a notable degree of success to date. There are difficulties in the negotiating process and the bar to reaching agreement on reform of the Security Council is very high. Any amendment to the UN charter would require a two thirds majority, and often times that is very difficult to achieve. We will continue to play our part. Ireland is a member of the recently established accountability, coherence and transparency group at the UN which was launched in New York in May 2013. We will continue to make our contribution to aiming to improve the working methods of the Security Council.

Deputy Crowe mentioned business and human rights. The consultation process is under way and public submissions have been invited. We do not have a strict timeline as yet but I would be most anxious that positive progress would be made this year. The plan will be developed through a process of consultation across a range of Departments and agencies. It is important that we acknowledge the contribution of academics and civil society in general. The human rights unit of the Department is acting as the co-ordinating body and responsibility for leading the consultation lies with that unit. I am happy to say that there has already been an element of progress. A very successful forum in early November focused solely on the theme of business and human rights. The report of that meeting shows the very positive process in place. I would be happy to keep the committee informed. The forum served as an opportunity for business and civil society to set out their views as we formulate our plan.

Deputy Smith mentioned the very important issue of what Ireland is doing to promote the right to freedom of religion throughout the world. This was a theme of the speech I had the opportunity, indeed the honour, of making to the UN General Assembly in September 2014. The right to freedom of religion and belief remains a priority for Ireland as an active member of the Human Rights Council, and we will continue to have our voice heard in that regard.