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

I might not address the questions in the order in which they were put to me on the basis that there is an element of duplication. I would like to regionalise the questions or address them under the various headings. I thank Deputy Smith for his comments, especially his comments on the recent atrocity in Tunisia, with particular reference to the work of our consular team. It is an important issue and he raised specifically the matter of the travel advice. The country-specific travel advice is updated and modified in accordance with the prevailing conditions in the country or the region on a regular basis on the Department's website, with particular reference to emergency events that may adversely affect Irish citizens or tourists. In the context of Tunisia and other areas where there have been instances of terrorist activity or where there are dangers, we encourage all citizens to register with the Department online. Obviously we cannot make this a compulsory registration, but it is very helpful as it gives us knowledge of the number of Irish people present and it also means that we can make contact very quickly both with a citizen in the event of an emergency and with members of his or her family here. We publicise the travel advice updates and we have social media updates and broadcasting updates. The travel advice for Tunisia is that members of the public, would-be holidaymakers or tourists should exercise extreme caution, that they should register and that they should keep in close contact with their tour operators. We are in contact with the tour operators as well.

Deputies Smith and Durkan mentioned Ireland's response to the migrant crisis. I note that Deputy Smith rather euphemistically labelled the attempt on the part of the EU to disrupt the boats in the region, but Ireland continues to make a real contribution to addressing the root causes of the irregular migrant flows. Often it is difficult to get precise figures in terms of numbers. We know that the LE Eithne has already been directly involved in the rescue of between 3,000 and 3,500 people. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people are attempting to cross the Mediterranean in very difficult circumstances. We have the immediate problem of search and rescue and the longer-term problem of addressing the root causes through humanitarian assistance. By the end of this year we will have provided €41 million in assistance for the Syrian crisis. We have provided €36 million to Somalia since 2008 and, to date in 2015, €1 million has been approved for the United Nations common humanitarian fund in Somalia, with a further €1.7 million to be provided to non-governmental organisation partners. We are also contributing to the search and rescue. Of the three phases, phase one has already been agreed and is under operation. I would expect at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council that consideration will be given to further phases.

The prospect of a UN Security Council resolution was mentioned by Deputy Smith and others, and I am hopeful that we can make progress on this issue. From Ireland's perspective, we will only participate and act in these missions in certain circumstances, one of which is with the consent of the inviting state, which, in the case of Libya, is unlikely to be forthcoming in the immediate future because of the fact that the attempts to form a unity government have not been as successful as many of us would have wished. However, in default of such consent, we will be seeking a United Nations Security Council resolution. Progress is being made on this issue on an ongoing basis, but I expect that we will have progress on it by the time of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, which is the week after next.

Deputy Smith mentioned the EU-Africa summit and migration in November. I accept what he said, namely, that November, in the context of an emergency, seems to be in the distant future. That will take place in Malta and will focus on the migration crisis. However, there will be an opportunity in Addis Ababa next week at the Financing for Development Conference to focus on these issues. We will have an opportunity in that forum to hold bilateral and other meetings with African leaders. The Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, will lead the delegation, and there will be opportunities to discuss the migration crisis. I understand that high-level representatives from many of the African states will be present, and I would be happy to raise Deputy Smith's concern directly with the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, in advance of his attendance.

Deputies Smith, Durkan and Ó Snodaigh mentioned the current position regarding the Middle East peace process. As I stated in my address, I am very anxious that this issue receives a greater level of attention and priority at EU level than has been the case in the past. The talks broke down a year ago and there is no immediate prospect of resumption. The basic problem is a lack of trust and absence of confidence among the parties with respect to each other's intentions, as well as a reluctance on the part of the Israelis to accept that the occupation must end and that peace, as we know from our experience on this island, will involve an element of compromise. The EU continues to support the resumption of the talks because it is our belief that it is only through talks that negotiations can commence and it is only through negotiations that agreement can be reached.

I look forward to a greater level of discussion. We had a discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council in May, and I am anxious that it would continue into July. On the matter of the settlement goods and products, that is an issue on which, again, I would be anxious that we would have something of an advance at EU level. It is important to remember that most of the settlements do not export anything. In the context of what we are doing, it is important that a focus on the settlement products is a relatively minor part of the overall issue. The strongest measure against the settlement products is that they must pay high tariffs on entering the European Union while other suppliers enjoy a reduced rate. The EU ruled in 2013 that no EU funding grants can be spent in the settlement areas and we, like other EU member states, published advice warning citizens against investing in the settlements. I am anxious that we would start work on the guidelines for the labelling of settlement products. We agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council in April that we would act on that.

I visited the West Bank at the beginning of the year and I saw the impact of settlements first hand. I had the opportunity to raise the issue directly with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, and I continue to raise it at every opportunity. Deputy Ó Snodaigh is correct when he refers to the motions passed in the Dáil and Seanad calling on the Government to recognise formally the state of Palestine. Similar motions have been passed elsewhere. I continue to give this matter active and careful consideration. The timing is important in the context of ensuring that early recognition by Ireland would play a useful role rather than just acknowledging the motion and ticking the box.