Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To take up Deputy Howlin’s point on the late ratification, it would seem Ireland and Bulgaria have yet to ratify it. It is important that we ratify in time for this summit in July. The Dáil goes into recess on 13 July. No doubt we will be bombarded with motions and legislation. No matter how much we try it never seems to change. The President is concerned about it, as we know. We are ratifying this and that is a good thing.

It is good to focus on the strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, as the Minister of State said. That was published last February. It is the first ever strategy for this key region which is home to 650 million people and generates billions of euro per annum in trade with Irish companies. Even from the point of view of trade this strategy is really important. I also take on board what the Minister of State said on the geopolitical situation. The EU needs friends in the world at this time. It is important that we are proactive in this particular region.

There is mention of possible EU trade deals with Mexico, Chile and Mercosur, as was discussed already. I wish us well in that regard. We are still trying to ratify CETA. This committee spent hours and hours looking at that and of course the Dáil has still not ratified it yet. I suspect it will be a bumpy road in regard to these trade deals as well.

I have one question. I am pleased that climate change will be a part of this agreement with the areas on which there will be a focus. I recall the Prime Minister of Barbados addressed either COP26 or COP27 and basically said that her country is going to disappear as a result of climate change. That is a real concern for some countries in this particular region. I want the Minister of State to assure me that the Taoiseach will bring to the fore the issue of climate change in the region and how Ireland and the EU can help in that regard. Also, there will be the issue of refugees in due course as a result of climate change. That is an issue with which we all have to grapple eventually. I hope that the Taoiseach will focus on climate change, among the many other issues to be addressed at this summit in July.