Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In its foreign policy review published last week, the Government comprehensively set out its approach to international affairs and its continued support for a fairer and more just, secure and sustainable world through our development programme, human rights policies, peacekeeping, disarmament and security policies. In a globalised world, we work with other countries who share common values and interests so as to amplify our voice in an increasingly complex international landscape. A key pillar of our international engagement is our input into the shaping and formulation of the EU common foreign and security policy, CFSP, most notably at the monthly meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in which I participate on behalf of the Irish people and Government.

The CFSP allows the EU to act in a unified way in the external sphere, including in the areas of conflict prevention, peacekeeping, institution building, trade and development, and, thereby, contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security in support of the United Nations. This approach reflects Irish values and is fully consistent with our traditional policy of military neutrality, which the Government has reaffirmed in the foreign policy review, and which is protected under the Lisbon treaty. At its heart is a commitment to improving the lives of its own citizens and of those of neighbouring countries and regions. By acting together as the EU, Ireland like the other 27 member states, has a far greater influence on international affairs than if we were to act individually.

The Lisbon treaty provided the EU with the necessary tools, namely, a permanent President of the European Council, a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a European External Action Service, to play a more effective role on the international stage. The post of High Representative is firmly established as a key figure in international diplomacy, raising the EU's profile on key foreign policy issues and ensuing a more consistent and coherent approach to the EU's external relations. I was delighted to welcome the EU High Representative, Ms Federica Mogherini, to Dublin on Monday, 12 January 2014, where she delivered the keynote address and met members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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