Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

European External Action Service

10:00 am

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the functions agreed for the new External Relations Agency headed by a person (details supplied) on behalf of the European Union; and the number of persons for such agency from Ireland. [29668/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The European External Action Service (EEAS) is an important innovation under the Lisbon Treaty to support the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton.

The functions of the EEAS will focus on the High Representative's mandate to conduct the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and to ensure the consistency of the EU's external action. The EEAS will also have functions relating to the High Representative's role as President of the new Foreign Affairs Council and in respect of her role as a Vice-President of the Commission with responsibility for external relations and for coordinating other aspects of the EU's external action. An important instrument in carrying out its role will be the network of Union delegations which the EEAs will maintain in third countries.

As indicated in my reply to a question on 20 May, Ministers reached a broad political understanding at the April General Affairs Council on the essential elements of a Council Decision which will establish the organisation and functioning of the EEAS. Subsequent discussions with representatives of the Parliament have concluded recently and some amendments to the draft Council Decision have been proposed in light of those discussions. On this basis, it is hoped that agreement can be reached on the Council Decision at the July General Affairs Council.

The Treaty provides that the EEAS will comprise officials from relevant departments of the Commission and the Council Secretariat, as well as staff seconded from national diplomatic services of the Member States. The process for recruiting staff from these three sources will be laid out in the Council Decision but appropriate amendments to the EU's Staff Regulations will also be required and it is hoped that these amendments can be finalised in September.

Ireland has consistently pressed for the EEAS recruitment process to be open, transparent and merit-based, while also ensuring that EEAS staffing is representative of the diversity of the Union. I welcome the fact that these principles are reflected in the draft Council Decision. If agreement is reached at the July Council on the Council Decision, the High Representative can begin the process for recruitment to the EEAS although actual recruitment must await the relevant amendments to the Staff Regulations.

Irish candidates will be able to compete for positions within the EEAS on an equal footing with candidates from other Member States and from the EU institutions. My Department has sought general expressions of interest from its officers who might consider working for the EEAS and has received a very positive response. However, it is not possible to say at this stage how many Irish staff will serve in the EEAS as the overall size of the EEAS is still under consideration and it will be some years before it reaches full operational strength.

Staffing from the member States, including Ireland, is likely to start more slowly than from the EU institutions but a target has been set to have one third of the EEAS staff coming from the diplomatic services of the Member States by 1 July 2013. The High Representative has indicated that she intends to achieve this target on a phased basis over the next three years.

I expect there will be tangible benefits to the State from the experience which will be gained by Irish officials serving on rotation with the EEAS and returning to the Irish diplomatic service. I look forward to Irish candidates of the highest calibre being recruited into the new Service.

Before the EEAS recruitment begins formally, the process of appointing Heads of EU Delegations – formerly Commission Delegations - has already been opened to candidates from the diplomatic services of the Member States. I understand that a number of Irish candidates, including officers from my own Department, have applied for these posts, of which 34 are due to be filled this year. Applicants were subject to a preselection process and the remaining candidates are currently being assessed by interview panels on which Member States are represented as observers. Appointments are expected to be made soon.

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