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

Yes, the United States is very much involved. There is an ongoing programme of interaction between the European Union and the United States. Only recently the High Representative, Ms Federica Mogherini, visited the United States and she has been particularly active on this issue since assuming office in November. Our position, notwithstanding the Senator's exhortation that Ireland should do more, is, as I outlined, that we consider matters from a domestic perspective. We also have influence within the 28 member European Union bloc. Later this month the European Council will review progress in the implementation of the European Union's counter-terrorism agenda. It includes a number of strands, including tackling the phenomenon that is foreign terrorist fighters, countering terrorist content on the Internet, improving international co-operation and information sharing, including through the adoption of the EU passenger name records directive. Other elements include constructive engagement with third states. In this context, I refer particularly to the Senator's comments on Turkey.I am anxious to ensure there is constructive engagement between the EU states and Turkey which, as Senator Bradford will recognise, is the main gateway for foreign fighters into Syria.

On the domestic front, Senator Bradford is familiar with the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Act which was debated here before Christmas and I am sure my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, would be happy to address the House again on the domestic approach to this important issue. We have a two-pronged approach, domestic and international. As Senator Bradford has urged, the European Union regards this issue as a high priority in terms of its engagement on the international stage.