Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his kind words. It is important that this House and the Lower House discuss the upcoming summit. As he stated, it is the fourth such summit in 73 years. There will be significant attendance by Heads of State, with more than 40 countries having indicated they will attend. It is an important day for Europe, the world and Ireland. In particular, I thank Ragnar Almqvist, who is sitting behind the Minister of State. Ragnar and Michael Treacy have been with me on this long journey that started at this time last year and involved many meetings, negotiations and stakeholders, including the Irish ambassador in Strasbourg, Breifne O'Reilly, and his team.Without the commitment of those behind the scenes, we would not be having this historic summit, which is important for mankind. When we have the opportunity to look at the emerging human rights of our generation, it is so important that everybody has the opportunity to have their say. Every time I have been in Strasbourg and every time I have met with the Council of Ministers I have said they should go home and discuss this in their parliaments. They must discuss what is important to the citizens they represent. Equally, I felt it was hugely important before I go to Reykjavik the week after next, and before I go to Norway tomorrow, that I could say we had this debate and how important it was. I acknowledge the other members of the delegation, Senators Gavan, Joe O’Reilly and Garvey and Deputies Troy and Pringle from the Dáil.

The Russian Federation is no doubt writing a very bloody page in European history. The devastating impact of its war of aggression against Ukraine is almost incredible, yet it has nearly become part of everyday life. While the invasion and aggression have horrific consequences in Ukraine itself, it is important to say that all of Europe has been impacted, through higher energy costs, the effects on our economy and the weaponisation of immigration. It is important that we take a very firm stand in regard to this. A dividing line is back on the map between democracies and the Russian Federation, a country which is prepared to wage a barbaric war of aggression to achieve its imperialistic objectives. It is exactly because our deepest values are being trampled upon that it is necessary to affirm our very deepest identity and values. It is precisely because peace has been violated that we should reiterate our attachment to the core values on which the Council of Europe was founded, and of which it is a guardian, namely, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. As the head of the Irish delegation to the Council of Europe, I am very proud of how it reacted in line with its own principles to exclude the Russian Federation immediately from its membership and expressed its very firm support for Ukraine and the Ukrainians, which is something Ireland obviously did.

Europe has changed. It has been 18 years since the last summit, but it is important to say that our values have not changed. We cannot allow the war of aggression to undermine Europe's foundations, which are the very core mandate of the Council of Europe. In the face of the extraordinary challenges before us, these values must continue to be our compass. We look forward to 16 and 17 May in Reykjavik. I acknowledge that the Taoiseach was one of the first Heads of State who confirmed that he would attend, and led the way in that regard. We must reiterate that the pursuit of peace based upon justice and international co-operation is a vital precondition for the preservation of human society and civilisation. We are going through a lot of uncertainty and backsliding, but along with ensuring that there is accountability in terms of the war crimes, there are other areas of which we need to be cognisant and that we must examine. When we started this process, many countries and people had different views about what we should prioritise. Following the negotiation we have had over the past 12 months, we have agreed that everybody should have the right to live in a safe and sustainable environment, therefore, putting climate change at the centre of all of our discussions. We have also called for a commissioner for democracy. We see the backsliding of democracy in many countries, in particular in Hungary and Poland in regard to LGBT rights.It is very important that we have a commissioner who can help to address these situations and try to ensure that we do not have a situation similar to that in Russia and Ukraine. We have also called for a special debate on the whole area of artificial intelligence. This issue is only featuring in our conversations now but there is huge concern about how it may impact on human rights.

This time tomorrow, I will be travelling to Norway to participate in a panel debate with former President Mary Robinson. It is an incredible privilege for me to do so on behalf of Ireland and all 46 countries of the Council of Europe. I am very proud of the work the former President and I have done. I am particularly proud of the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Ms Justice Síofra O'Leary. I had the pleasure last week of opening a debate with her in the European Parliament on the hugely important work the court does. That has to be central to what we do. Full support and resources must be provided for the judgments the court makes. Only then will we be able to continue in the way we should by supporting one another both within our own countries and as members of the Council of Europe. I am conscious that my time is up. I could speak for hours on this subject, as I have done over the last 12 months. I look forward to hearing what my colleagues have to say and taking that message back to Reykjavik.