Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Crowe for his question and his kind comments on my appointment and the role I played at the Joint Committee on European Affairs. I also acknowledge Deputy Hannigan's comments about the work I did during my tenure on the committee and thank him for them. I assure both of them and the other speakers that I view my engagement with the joint committee and with this Chamber as being central to the work I will do in my new role as Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs. I might get an opportunity at that forum to respond to the point made by Deputy Hannigan about the role of national parliaments in the semester. I believe this is going to be a central issue for this Parliament and for parliaments all over the eurozone and the European Union.

In respect of Deputy Crowe's specific question about the role of bio-fuels and the developing world, my view on that and related issues was strongly influenced by a visit last year to Malawi with Trócaire. I saw at first hand the impact of some of the broad issues raised by Deputy Crowe and Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. It is one thing to read about these things in the confines of the developed world from the comfort of our living rooms, but when one goes to countries grappling with challenges vaster than perhaps we can imagine despite our huge difficulties and sees their heroism and the efforts they are making, it really brings home all we need to do to support them in their work. When I received the great news regarding my appointment as Minister of State, amid contacting all those who contacted me, I contacted Trócaire and GOAL to tell them that while I acknowledged that my constituency colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and development, Deputy Costello, was doing an excellent job on development issues and our role abroad, if I could offer any assistance whatsoever, I certainly will. Having seen the difficulties many of these countries face, I would be very eager to give whatever small amount of help my office can to help that work.

In respect of the Deputy's broader point about bio-fuels, I know this issue was discussed at the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade earlier today. If there is an opportunity for me to raise it within the General Affairs Council or at any point in supporting the Tánaiste through his work on the Foreign Affairs Council, I will do so. In the interim, I will take time, through Minister of State, Deputy Costello, and his office, to acquaint myself with the issues about which the Deputy spoke. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I am aware that he has raised other points in his contribution earlier on and if he wants to ask any questions relating to them, I will certainly do my best to answer them.

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