Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

My priority as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs is to promote and protect the values and interests of Ireland and its citizens abroad. In this regard, the promotion of Ireland's economic interests overseas is a key focus.

I plan to recall Ireland's ambassadors in the coming weeks for briefings on a new approach to promoting and marketing Ireland as a country in which to do business. I, and my colleague, the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, will also meet with key interlocutors in established and emerging markets to strengthen our bilateral economic relations.

Within the EU context, the priority over the coming months is to re-establish Ireland's credentials with our partners and the institutions. I will be undertaking a number of visits and contacts in that regard, in respect of which I will work closely with the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs. The relevance and importance of EU membership to a wide range of domestic and foreign policy issues cannot be overstated. Intensive efforts are continuing to assemble a durable response to the current economic and financial crisis. They will reach a decisive point at the European Council meeting this week. The forthcoming visits by Queen Elizabeth and President Obama will underline the political and economic importance of our bilateral relationships with the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The further development of these relationships will continue to be a priority.

The Government's official development assistance programme, Irish Aid, is an integral part of our foreign policy. Our aim is to work strategically towards a time when development aid will no longer be necessary and our relationship with Africa will be one of trade, commerce and mutual interest.

The current crises in north Africa and the Middle East require a concerted response from the international community in support of the democratic transformation processes which are under way. Ireland is working closely with our EU and UN partners towards this aim. At this time of historic change, the need for a settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is greater than ever. I have discussed all of these issues at recent meetings with my EU counterparts and with Secretary of State Clinton.

Ireland is a firm supporter of the United Nations system and we are working to achieve a reformed UN capable of fulfilling its peace, development, disarmament and human rights responsibilities. I will intensify preparations for Ireland's chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe next year to ensure we are in a position to provide effective leadership of the organisation's ongoing work on the promotion of comprehensive security throughout the OSCE region.

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