Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy McDonald raised a range of issues. I take her at her word. I hope this can be a showcase, in the right way, for Ireland and Fermanagh. I hope it is an expression of confidence that the British Prime Minister wanted to host the G8 summit on the island of Ireland. I also hope that those who wish to exercise the legitimate right to peaceful protest do so.

The Deputy mentioned a number of events taking place between 12 and 17 June. She referred to the Pat Finucane case, but I had not heard of the issue she raised. It is another opportunity to have a peaceful protest, if that is what people wish to involve themselves in. Unfortunately, and for a variety of reasons outside my control and that of the Deputy, in other countries it has turned into something far from peaceful. Nobody wants that situation to arise in Ireland.

In regard to the protest by Friends of the Earth, I can confirm that water, food, food security and climate change are issues that are genuinely discussed at different EU committees and at the summit. The same applies in the case of the event at the Belfast Botanic Gardens. I genuinely hope this can be a G8 summit at which the leaders of the industrialised world focus, with real pragmatism and decisiveness, on a number of the issues that affect everybody, some of which the Deputy mentioned.

The conference in London on Saturday was about malnutrition and under-nutrition, not just the hunger situation which pertains in many countries. There were comments on the great advances being made by the Gates Foundation, for instance, in the elimination of disease and the countries in which this problem can be beaten over the next decade or so.

During the Olympics last year - an outstanding contribution by Britain, which was exceptionally well-run and a showcase for the world - the Prime Minister took the opportunity to call many leaders, representatives of NGOs and people working against hunger, specifically malnutrition and under-nutrition, to Downing Street. I was also happy to participate. A process was put in place whereby it was not just the games that took place, as well as all that goes along with them as a spectacle of athleticism and commitment; there was also a recognition of the millions who live in poverty and, within that, those living in dire poverty who suffer from starvation and malnutrition. The Prime Minister initiated the process by which this can become a parallel decision-making process at the next Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The meeting on Saturday was attended by the Vice President of Brazil, the host nation for the Olympics in 2016. It specifically focused on malnutrition and under-nutrition, which give rise to stunted growth and carries through in progeny for successive generations.

There were passing references to the issues of land and gender inequality, but the conference was not about those issues. Two young people spoke, one of whom is now a journalist. He suffered from malnutrition as a young boy and graphically explained to the conference how he was unable to participate in football, which he loves, because of the food situation. His closing remarks to the conference asked leaders to remember the face of those who spoke, because it is an issue that affects so many. I commend the Prime Minister on calling so many people together and using the G8 as a opportunity to further the process of dealing with malnutrition and under-nutrition in the lead-up to the 2016 games, where this process will represent further evidence of decisiveness in dealing with the matter. It is not a case of paying lip service to an issue that affects millions of people in hovels, inferior accommodation and places where people have nothing but the space on which they lie. The representative of Nigeria spoke about chiefs and tribes in her country. The tradition was that pregnant women were forbidden to eat eggs during pregnancy. Education is very important for the rights of women, and it must become an accepted part of life that they are entitled to the best food and the highest standard of living. Education in respect of tribal rights and tradition is important. She raised the point in the context of a number of siblings in her family. It was a powerful contribution and was recognised as such by all of those who were there. I hope the G8 representatives will reflect on where the Prime Minister has brought this process, and I hope there will be real, effective follow-up by the time the 2016 games take place in Rio de Janeiro.

The Deputy mentioned Syria. This appalling conflict is having horrendous consequences for millions of people. A number of initiatives and proposals have been put forward since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, many of which raised the hope that the conflict would end swiftly, but that has not happened. There is no denying the fact that the US-Russian proposal of convening an international conference in Syria called the Geneva II talks is a welcome development to break the paralysis on the political track. The Special Envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, has long argued that the international community cannot, as somebody here said years ago, stand idly by. The only hope of a peaceful political settlement is for the key international players, particularly SECO, to come together and apply sufficient pressure on all sides to bring about a dialogue for peace and transition. The EU pledged its full support for the US-Russian initiative and the conclusions adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 May which the Tánaiste attended. He made it clear that the EU would support every initiative to create the appropriate conditions for a successful convening of the conference. If it is to have any value and bear fruit there must be no preconditions set by the sides in the conflict. We urge the opposition and the authorities in Syria to take seriously the opportunity presented by the Geneva II talks so that the continuous stream of people being driven out of their family homes and villages to neighbouring countries can stop.

The relaxation of the sanctions regime is something Ireland did not support. The Tánaiste pointed out clearly at the meeting that we favoured an extension of the entire sanctions regime in order to put sufficient pressure on the Syrian authorities to stop their campaign of repression, under which so many deaths have occurred, stop driving people out of the country, and enter into dialogue. A relaxation of the arms embargo would only lead to further militarisation and loss of life and would trigger an arms race inside and outside Syria. We also have a legitimate concern that supplying arms to moderate opponents of the Assad regime will gravely undermine any prospect of a political settlement, particularly at a time when international diplomatic efforts such as those deployed by Russia and the US seem to be leading to some sort of progress in terms of political dialogue.

At the Council, different views were expressed by some of the leaders. There was a strong recognition of the importance of EU unity on this matter and of the inevitable fact that our unity and leverage with others would suffer if we did not maintain cohesion. Thus, the decision was made by the Council with which Ireland disagreed. However, it is important that the 27 member states remain focused on the objective of overall peace.

The Deputy also mentioned the Middle East. The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, has personally prioritised the Middle East peace process.

He has been in regular contact with the Israelis, Palestinians and regional leaders since his first visit to the region with President Obama in March and recently made his fourth visit there. While the nature of the work he is involved in is confidential, it is expected that the initiative needs to advance now from listening mode to a more direct engagement in terms of peace talks. Such negotiations are always particularly complicated and sensitive in that region.

We are concerned by the series of recent announcements of large-scale Israeli settlement expansions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Having visited the region some years ago, I understand the implications of these developments. Any unilateral provocative actions by either side that are aimed at creating new realities on the ground must be avoided for these negotiations to have any chance of success. Let us hope that Senator Kerry's new initiative, his personal prioritisation of the issue and his frequent visits will enable a sense of good faith that common sense can apply and progress can be made.

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