Mr. Matt Carthy:

Go raibh maith agat arís, a Chathaoirligh. I think Lynn Boylan, MEP, would be in a better position to answer Deputy Durkan's questions, if she does not mind me saying so.

Deputy Eric Byrnes's questions have raised good points. As regards my remarks on Greece, I was not suggesting for a second that we have to agree with every decision the Greek Government makes. The best, and ultimate, judges of those decisions are the Greek people. That is the point I was making.

As regards Europe's role as a strong global actor, our position is well documented. We believe that countries like Ireland should have an independent foreign policy. We have a place in the world and our international image is a credit to successive Governments. That includes having a positive role to play in ending international conflicts, as well as promoting international development. However, that role has been undermined in recent years as a result of Europe's role as a strong global actor. Probably the greatest example of that was the Government's scandalous, shameful and embarrassing decision to abstain from voting on a UN Human Rights Council resolution concerning the attack on Gaza last summer. We rowed in behind the European policy of sitting on our hands on a motion that simply called for an investigation into the Israeli actions in Gaza during what was a terrible siege for the people there.

There are times when Europe needs to speak as a single voice, such as in response to the recent atrocities in Paris. However, there are other times when it is in our interests to play a fruitful role in international relations as a sovereign power with an independent foreign policy.

Ms Mairead McGuinness, MEP, and I may disagree on plenty of things, but I could not agree more with her remarks about development, our role as Europeans and our international assistance, particularly to African countries. In fairness to her, she raises this issue regularly. She was one of those who, when the Ebola crisis was at its height, categorically stated that we needed to respond to it but that we also had a responsibility concerning the Congo.

As an MEP, I recognise that Ireland is too small to have two voices on issues at that level. I would encourage members of the committee to ensure that where and when possible, Ireland - as a nation, North and South - is speaking with one voice on European policies. When we can do so, we will be in a stronger position to see our own objectives being delivered.