Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I acknowledge that the preparations for the chairmanship of the OSCE began in 2009 and that much of the groundwork was done by the previous Administration. It is no harm to say this, given the negative things said in the House from time to time about the diplomatic initiatives taken by the previous Administration.

Can I take it from what the Tánaiste said that the issue of conflict resolution will be at the heart of his chairmanship of the OSCE? What does he envisage will be the lasting legacy of Ireland's chairmanship? We heard an interesting presentation last week at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs at which we were briefed on the efforts of human rights defenders. Does the Tánaiste anticipate being in a position to do something to put human rights defenders at the heart of his chairmanship of the OSCE? Will he give us more information on the conference he proposes to hold on conflict resolution on 27 April? Where will it be held? Who will be the participants and what does he hope the outcome will be?

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