Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I ask the Minister to conclude, I will refer to a few issues that he mentioned regarding the migration crisis. Unfortunately again, there was the loss of 30 lives in the Mediterranean yesterday. I understand that they were mainly toddlers. It shows the gravity of the situation of this ongoing humanitarian crisis. Senator Bacik referred to Mr. John Ging's presentation to the committee last week. There are so many humanitarian crises throughout the world, there is a danger that some may become forgotten - South Sudan, north-east Nigeria, etc. Have these featured at the Foreign Affairs Council? Does the Minister expect the Middle East peace process to be an item at the next Council meeting following US President Trump's visit to the region?

Is Brexit an item on the Council's monthly agenda from the point of view of its effects on the Common Foreign and Security Policy? Where I come from in Cavan-Monaghan, its effect on Europe's foreign policy is not the issue that keeps people awake. Rather, its economic effect, the difficulties that may arise and the risk of losing momentum in the peace process and the major advances that we have made on this island since 1998 are what concern the people whom I have the privilege of representing in Dáil Éireann.

In that context and regarding markets, where difficulties will arise for many sectors due to Brexit, is the Russian ban on certain products from the EU considered at the Foreign Affairs Council? The Russian Federation imposed sanctions in August 2014, particularly on certain agrifood products. That has had a significant knock-on effect on Ireland's export potential and the prices available for products. For example, the pigmeat sector's substantial market in Russia was lost due to the ban. Commissioner Hogan has stated that negotiations are ongoing, but is this issue kept under consideration by the Foreign Affairs Council, given its importance? When a market is reduced, it has a knock-on adverse impact on the prices available to primary producers and processors.