Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Members for their contributions and questions.

On approaches to migration and its root causes, the Taoiseach addressed this in his speech today and when he presented to his European colleagues at the Council meeting last week. Africa has come under the heading of external relations as well as migration. We need to acknowledge that our relationship with Africa should not be solely placed in the migration box. We must continue to develop our relationships and to provide for the EU-Africa fund, as well as addressing the economic, human rights and conflict issues. By building that relationship, we can address politically the challenges they are facing. On 18 December, a meeting will be held between the African Heads of State and the EU, which will be led by the Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, as EU Presidency holders. This will give us an opportunity to have further political dialogue and to engage on the proposals put before the European Council for disembarkation platforms and the proposals to address the root causes not just in Europe and Africa but in the Middle Eastern region.

The recently published report on climate change highlighted the fact a rise in global warming of 1.5° Celsius would clearly highlight the negative impacts of climate change and very much illustrate the unprecedented urgency to step up our global efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change. The report makes it clear that parties to the Paris Agreement need to strengthen significantly their future commitments. This includes Ireland. I know there were concerns we did not raise the carbon tax. It is important to note that the Minister for Finance has committed in this year's budget to put in place a long-term trajectory for carbon tax increases to 2030. This is in line with recommendations from the Climate Change Advisory Council and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action. We have a national policy position on climate action and low carbon development, underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. We have a national mitigation plan, the purpose of which is to specify the policy measures required to manage Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. This year, we published the national development plan which reaffirms the Government’s commitment to transitioning Ireland to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society. Most importantly, funding of almost €22 billion, coming from Exchequer and non-Exchequer resources, will be provided to address the transition to the low-carbon and climate-resilient society. That means one in five euro of public funding will be spent specifically looking at climate change and to mitigate its challenges. The report refocuses all of our minds to the challenge that lies ahead. The Government is aware of these challenges and is trying to address them. The increase to the overall budget for climate change this year is a factor.

I am not quite sure of the exact figure for the climate change target fines. I will revert to Deputy Connolly with the exact figures.

Regarding the spread of disinformation, our external borders and internal security were key issues addressed at the Council. Ireland in particular focused on the spread of disinformation. We have started to look at how cybersecurity could impact on elections in Ireland with reference to other countries. Questions are still being raised about the most recent US presidential election. The Irish view is that we need to strengthen wider co-operation across all levels of society, not just political but civil society. This was reaffirmed by all 27 member states at last week's Council meeting.

No consensus was reached by the 27 member states concerning increasing Frontex staff by 10,000. There are still questions as to who they would report to and what competences they would have. This is why no consensus was reached and why discussions are still ongoing. As Ireland is not part of the Schengen area, this does not impact directly on us. Our position is to support those member states most impacted. It is to be as proactive and supportive in the negotiations because there are differing views depending on the member state and its location in the EU in terms of closeness to borders. We need to show solidarity to those member states which are most impacted. We know, particularly in terms of the Brexit negotiations, the member states that are least impacted have shown solidarity towards Ireland.

The negotiations on the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, have been under way for well over a year. In the past two discussions, Ireland and Belgium have raised concerns around the requirements of member states which are more impacted than others when a crisis emerges or some form of economic impact is felt. Without specifically mentioning Brexit, the budget is seven years ahead and we do not know what other challenges may lay ahead. However, we need to ensure flexibility within the budget, whether it is Brexit or some other form of economic challenge. It should allow the flexibility for impacted member states to receive financial support.

Every Department and Minister is identifying the challenges and possible threats from Brexit, ranging from the worst-case to the best-case scenario. There also competences in the European Parliament and European Commission which are working to address those issues, particularly the transit, land bridge and aviation issues to ensure free movement. The Commission published a report recently looking at ports in Europe and highlighting the challenges they may face, particularly given the fact that if there is any kind of a border between the UK and the rest of the European Union, there will be delays and checks.

Of course, from an Irish point of view, we cannot be held up as part of these delays and checks. We are engaging with our European colleagues, particularly Belgium and France, to try to address the concerns that have been raised.

Deputy O'Sullivan raised a number of human rights issues and the particular situation in Myanmar, which is of great concern. The report of the independent fact-finding mission showed evidence of human rights violations, which absolutely amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes, by members of the Burmese military but also by other security forces. In close co-operation with the UN Human Rights Council and our European colleagues, we strongly support ensuring those who are perpetrators of crime are held to account and we are monitoring the situation. We are trying to work with our international partners to pursue a resolution to this crisis. In the meantime, we can continue to support the organisations providing humanitarian assistance.

With regard to Yemen and the significant challenges that arise, the Tánaiste has outlined that he met the Saudi ambassador on 18 October. He raised very serious concerns not just with regard to the Khashoggi case but also the ongoing conflict in Yemen. I was also horrified by the recent reports of the UN's humanitarian co-ordinator that between 12 million and 13 million people may possibly be at risk of famine in the coming months. More than 22 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance and this must be of concern to each and every one of us. We are providing support and humanitarian assistance. We have committed to €16.5 million in bilateral humanitarian assistance. Of this, €4 million was contributed in March to the UN Yemen humanitarian fund. As I stated, when the Tánaiste met the Saudi ambassador he stressed Ireland's concerns about this issue. At the same time, we need to stress that even if military victory is achievable it will not address the root causes of the conflicts so negotiations in this regard need to be reinvigorated. Ireland and the EU fully support the work of the UN special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and his team in the negotiations. We support that they are reinvigorated so we can try to address again the root causes of this conflict. We will continue to provide financial support and to raise these issues. The Deputy is right to continue to raise it on the floor of the Dáil.

Conflicts and the arms embargo have been mentioned. This is an issue we have raised but at present there is no consensus at EU level and there are various views on this. It is something we need to continue to discuss, engage on and raise at EU level. There was no consensus on imposing an arms embargo but we need to continue to raise the issue and to work with the UN to promote the vital work of Martin Griffiths, which is essential for reinstating peace talks and providing a permanent solution to the overall crisis.

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