Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Human rights were a major topic of discussion at the summit. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to protect and promote human rights in accordance with the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights treaties and instruments. They also reaffirmed their willingness to promote further co-operation in ASEM in the field of human rights, including through best practice and sharing experiences.

A discussion took place on the important role of governments, international and national human rights institutions and regional organisations in promoting and protecting human rights. Leaders underlined their commitment to strengthen collaboration to advance the promotion and protection of human rights through the Human Rights Council, particularly the universal periodic review and its special procedures and mechanisms.

Leaders condemned all forms of incitement to hatred and intolerance, including xenophobia, religious hatred and violence. They stressed the importance of respect and understanding for cultural and religious diversity and promoting tolerance, respect, dialogue and co-operation among different cultures, civilizations and peoples. As Deputy Martin is only too well aware, the events taking place in a number of countries do not reflect any of these aspirations.

In respect of trade, from Ireland's point of view, there has been a great deal of activity to establish and strengthen bilateral connections between Ireland and Asia, including the strengthening of trade and investment links. For example, in 2014, there were 12 ministerial visits to Asia and a State visit to China. These visits show our strong commitment to building our links with Asia and many of them had highly beneficial consequences. For example, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, has done great work in enhancing agrifood exports to Asia. This has had many positive results, notably the lifting of the ban on beef exports to Japan and the recent lifting of the ban on sales of Irish beef in China. Food and drink exports to China grew by an estimated 40% last year alone, which gives a clear indication of the considerable potential of the Irish agrifood sector in the Asian region. Last week, I had discussions with a number of companies in the United States which are interested in working with Irish companies to increase exports to Asia.

Our educational links with Asia are becoming stronger every year. Many of our third level institutions are developing partnerships and signing bilateral agreements with a variety of institutions in Asia. More than 150 such bilateral arrangements are in place with Chinese institutions alone. During a visit to China last year, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, secured an agreement that Ireland would be recognised as a country of honour at the Chinese educational expo in October 2016. This provides an opportunity to increase awareness of Irish higher education institutions among the Chinese public. As Deputies are aware, an increasing number of students are travelling to China for full semesters at third level to immerse themselves in what is a difficult language for Europeans to learn and understand.

However, our links are not limited to China alone, as two education missions took place to India last year and memorandums of understanding with the Republic of Korea and Japan were signed in 2013 by the then Minister for Education and Skills.

The Government has established a growing investment relationship with Asia. A key objective of IDA Ireland's Horizon 2020 strategy is to win 20% of new name business in growth markets by 2020. Good progress is being made in meeting this target, with a figure of 18% having being achieved by the end of 2013. Asia plays an important part in meeting that target. Japan is a significant source of foreign direct investment in Ireland. There are now more than 50 Japanese companies with a presence here, of which 22 are IDA Ireland-assisted, making Japan the sixth largest contributor to foreign direct investment, with more than 2,500 people employed in assisted companies. The China-Ireland technology growth capital fund that was launched in January 2014 will target investment in both growing Irish technology companies with strategic ambitions to access the Chinese market and growing Chinese technology companies with strategic ambitions to access the European market through Ireland. Moreover, an increasing number of Indian pharmaceutical firms are developing a presence here, while a number of Indian information and communications technology, ICT, firms also are setting up operations in Ireland and now employ more than 3,000 people. In the other direction, companies such as Kerry Group, CRH and PM Group have a strong presence in India. For example, Kerry Group is an important player in the food ingredients sector which supplies Subway, McDonald's and other catering related companies.

Deputy Micheál Martin mentioned the international trade agreements, of which the transatlantic trade and investment partnership, TTIP, is one going the other way. I had discussions on it in America last week and, clearly, it is in Ireland's interests, more than any other European country, to see a conclusion being reached on that agreement. While there are difficulties, I hope it will be substantially completed by the end of the year because it is important that it happen during the lifetime of this Administration or there may be a danger that it might not happen at all. As for what I envisage happening in respect of Asia not waiting for international agreements with the European Union, I note that China is signing up to agreements with a number of individual countries. We had a visit from the then Vice President Xi Jinping and I believe the Ceann Comhairle visited China at a different time. However, there appears to be substantial growing interest in doing business with China from here, as well as there being obvious Chinese interest in Ireland. These are matters that should be pursued.

For the information of the Deputy, the statement that will accompany this reply contains 45 points of agreement or, if one likes, the conclusions of the meeting. Point No. 19 refers to how leaders concurred on the seriousness of the challenge posed by climate change. They agreed that further and immediate ambitious action was required on the part of all parties with a view to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to meet the collective objective of limiting the increase in global average temperature to below 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In that context, leaders supported and called for the success of the 2014 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, of parties in Lima, as well as the 2015 conference to be held later this year in Paris. Leaders resolved to work towards the adoption at the 21st conference of a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the UNFCCC applicable to all parties. They also underscored their commitment to work together to address the issues of climate change and environmental protection in accordance with all of the principles and provisions of the United Nations on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. There is a range of points that I will circulate with the reply for the information of Members.

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