Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)

I thank the Tánaiste for entrusting me with the position of parliamentary attendant at the OSCE assembly which takes place once every six months. When I was asked to go on the committee, like Deputy Donnelly I was apprehensive about what could be achieved by travelling abroad on behalf of the State. I must admit I was fearful of how the media would scrutinise the cost of sending Deputies abroad. I am now informed the cost has been reduced as much as possible and I thank the Department for this and for the work done during the chairmanship and beforehand. I have learned there is capacity to engage with fellow parliamentarians from throughout the Continent and the importance of this. To this end I would like to mention I am on the economic forum in the parliamentary assembly. When we speak about growth in the eurozone it was not President-elect Hollande of France who came up with the idea. There is engagement throughout the Continent. I was able to participate in a robust debate in Vienna in February on the need to create growth, the incapacity of a country in an EU-IMF programme and the ability of other countries to facilitate engagement and help.

I compliment Deputy Heather Humphreys who takes every opportunity she can to develop the country. I assisted her in meetings with people from Kazakhstan who are purchasing 2,000 animals, including cows and heifers, from Ireland to develop its stock. At one stage Kazakhstan had 32 million animals but this has been reduced to 2 million. This is worth €2.5 million a month to this country. We are examining developing it so animals other than purebred Herefords and Angus are taken. This is an opportunity well taken. I compliment Deputy Ann Phelan on her humanitarian efforts. Deputies Eoghan Murphy and Stephen Donnelly and Senator Jim Walsh are also making efforts to promote the country.

The OSCE also affords the opportunity for the social democrats of Europe to meet to converse about what is needed for the Continent and the Christian democrats do likewise. What can be conveyed to people and the sentiment that can filter through the Continent as a result of engaging with people cannot be underestimated. We are making allies and friends. With regard to the fiscal treaty, we cannot underestimate the level of influence parliamentarians can have when they go outside the country.

I wish to inform the House about what happened in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham. The OSCE conference on the Northern Ireland peace process, Shared Future, was held there on 27 April and was the first of its kind. It was the first time we analysed and showcased the peace process, how it was achieved and the people engaged. It has been hailed by many who attended as a great success. Conference speakers included the Tánaiste, Senator George Mitchell, the Northern Ireland First Minister, Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson, and other distinguished guests. They provided candid and enlightening anecdotes and insight on the peace process and the maintenance of the peace. US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, also lent support to the conference by sending a video message which encouraged attendees to engage and reflect on the elements discussed throughout the day. The conference addressed the important areas of the continuing peace process which include justice, policing, highlighting co-ordination and communication between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the importance of acknowledging and respecting different traditions in a society and the international element in creating the conditions for peace. It was great to witness attendees actively and thoughtfully engaging with speakers and each other throughout the day on these topics with some drawing parallels to the countries in which they reside.

This spotlight on Ireland was attended by 48 countries. Some of the countries represented experience conflict within their borders, which has made discussions of the peace process all the more relevant, essential and urgent. The messages conveyed throughout the day were sincerely taken on board by the representatives with many asking specific and earnest questions of the panellists. The conference provided renewed hope that peace is possible and many of the representatives were able to take away not only new ideas but renewed hope. The day had an optimistic tone with participants being able to witness first-hand men and women who had previously been divided now working together in the day-to-day business of Northern Ireland.

The conference heralded this case of conflict resolution as a success story to which other nations could look for information and guidance. It was recognised that each conflict worldwide was unique and that the case of Northern Ireland may not directly apply to resolution in other countries. However, what does apply is that persistence is necessary to pursue peace. I compliment the Tánaiste and his staff and the Irish Army which for many years has pursued through the UN and OSCE peacekeeping missions whereby it polices, monitors the media and returns people displaced as a result of conflict. I would like more time to speak about this but unfortunately I do not have it.

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