Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I look forward to being back here, as well as in the Dáil and the Seanad, to discuss the defence decisions taken today. There will be very interesting debate on the detail of it.

I can understand the disappointment in Georgia. I spoke to the Georgian ambassador here as recently as yesterday. I hosted a lunch for all the ambassadors yesterday after the national day of commemoration. Within the European Union, this is not seen as closing the door on Georgia. It is actually seen as opening the door as it clarifies what is required in terms of reforms in order to be eligible for candidate status. However, because it was announced at the same time as the decisions on Ukraine and Moldova, it was seen as making a distinction between the two groups of countries. I can understand that frustration. I have reassured the Georgians, and I will do so again, that Ireland is in favour of enlargement and that includes Georgia. It is a relatively small country but in a strategic part of Europe and it needs our help, support and solidarity. When I us the word "our", I am talking about the European Union as a whole. Ireland is one of the strongest backers of enlargement generally, as a principle. We want this EU stability, which is effectively a peace project that will then provide the platform for everything else, to seep east to countries that want to join. Georgia is clearly one of those countries. The accession process is difficult and sometimes prolonged. I hope that, following the decision of the last European Council meeting, there is at least clarity for Georgia on what it needs to do to take the next step.

I have quite a technical answer on coal purchases. My Department was informed of May of this year that the ESB has recently ordered coal from the Cerrejón mine for the first time in a number of years in order to maintain a secure coal supply. This is in the context of EU sanctions on Russian coal. Until this point I understand that the ESB had not used any coal from that mine since 2018. Matters relating to the import and export of coal do not fall under the remit of my Department. The ESB is a commercial State company and Ministers do not have a statutory function in the day-to-day operation of the business. However, we remain in close contact with the lead Department, which is the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, and the ESB on the issue. I am aware of the issues that have been raised by NGOs and others around the operation of the mine. My Department has been following developments on this topic closely. Our embassy in Colombia has maintained regular contact with relevant stakeholders and has visited the mine in order to gain a greater understanding of the circumstances. Our assessment is that this is a complex issue in a complex part of Colombia. Needless to say, Ireland takes a very active role in supporting the promotion and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Colombia. Addressing social, land-related and environmental issues is an essential component of Colombia's peace process and is part of the reason we remain so committed to supporting Colombia in the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 peace plan. We will continue to monitor the human rights situation in the region in which the mine is located and across Colombia. We will also remain actively engaged on these issues, including by remaining in contact with the relevant Department and the ESB. We have not stopped it but we are watching pretty closely with regard to the concerns that have been expressed. There are choices being made now because of energy security issues that may not have been made otherwise. This could potentially shine a spotlight on the mine, which could ironically be a good thing as it would put pressure on it to ensure the kinds of issues that have been outlined are not continuing.

I am glad Deputy Gannon asked me about Western Sahara. Our policy on Western Sahara has not changed, despite the fact that some other countries have changed their approach on it. Our position is consistent with UN resolutions and a UN-led process, without a preconceived outcome for that process. That is where Ireland still stands on Western Sahara and that position is not likely to change.

I am not going to get into wind energy guidelines. Deputy Clarke can probably forgive me that. It is a matter for another Minister, although I am familiar with the issue.

The Deputy is right that the biggest challenge for the commission will be managing people, getting enough people into the Defence Forces, getting enough women into the Defence Forces, changing the culture and changing - I think quite radically - how recruitment is done and how people are managed in the Defence Forces. That is why we are going to have a civilian head of transformation and a civilian head of HR working very closely with the chief of staff and his team. In virtually any other sector, a turnover rate of between 7% and 10% would not be considered high at all.