Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 20: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his bilateral and multilateral priorities for the next four months [5352/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My priority as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs is to promote and protect the values and interests of Ireland and its citizens abroad. In this regard, the promotion of Ireland's economic interests overseas is a key focus.

I plan to recall Ireland's ambassadors in the coming weeks for briefings on a new approach to promoting and marketing Ireland as a country in which to do business. I, and my colleague, the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, will also meet with key interlocutors in established and emerging markets to strengthen our bilateral economic relations.

Within the EU context, the priority over the coming months is to re-establish Ireland's credentials with our partners and the institutions. I will be undertaking a number of visits and contacts in that regard, in respect of which I will work closely with the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs. The relevance and importance of EU membership to a wide range of domestic and foreign policy issues cannot be overstated. Intensive efforts are continuing to assemble a durable response to the current economic and financial crisis. They will reach a decisive point at the European Council meeting this week. The forthcoming visits by Queen Elizabeth and President Obama will underline the political and economic importance of our bilateral relationships with the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The further development of these relationships will continue to be a priority.

The Government's official development assistance programme, Irish Aid, is an integral part of our foreign policy. Our aim is to work strategically towards a time when development aid will no longer be necessary and our relationship with Africa will be one of trade, commerce and mutual interest.

The current crises in north Africa and the Middle East require a concerted response from the international community in support of the democratic transformation processes which are under way. Ireland is working closely with our EU and UN partners towards this aim. At this time of historic change, the need for a settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is greater than ever. I have discussed all of these issues at recent meetings with my EU counterparts and with Secretary of State Clinton.

Ireland is a firm supporter of the United Nations system and we are working to achieve a reformed UN capable of fulfilling its peace, development, disarmament and human rights responsibilities. I will intensify preparations for Ireland's chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe next year to ensure we are in a position to provide effective leadership of the organisation's ongoing work on the promotion of comprehensive security throughout the OSCE region.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Tánaiste for his comprehensive reply. Has the Tánaiste any plans to devote extra resources to the embassies abroad to enable them to fulfil their new role as promoters of trade? Has the Tánaiste considered meeting his European counterparts with a view to adopting a joint approach to the crisis in Japan?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The matter of resources for our embassies abroad must be addressed in the context of the overall budgetary situation and the resources available. However, it is our intention to widen the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs to include a brief in respect of trade. We are making arrangements to give effect to this change so that, as a country, we get the maximum impact from our diplomatic missions abroad and so that we provide a focus on trade, expanding business and opening up business opportunities.

With regard to the situation in Japan, my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, attended a meeting yesterday of European energy ministers in order to address the issues and energy implications for nuclear power stations in a co-ordinated way. I will be working with my European Union colleagues to co-ordinate the European Union response to the situation from the point of view of providing assistance and aid.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understand the content of the Tánaiste's reply but if the embassies abroad are to be given an enhanced role, surely this requires a measure of reorganisation, including enhanced resources. Otherwise, are we supposed to take it that the embassies abroad are underemployed at the moment if they can take on extra responsibilities without any extra resources?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is a question of co-ordinating Ireland's overall efforts abroad. It involves the embassies and the various agencies which represent and work for Ireland abroad, including Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and others in tourism, food and so on. The Government's objective is to ensure we get the maximum co-ordinated approach and impact from our entire presence abroad and to give that presence abroad a renewed focus on trade and business.