Written answers
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Programme for Government Implementation
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42880/12]
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Annual Report on the Programme for Government was issued in March 2012 and provided a comprehensive update on the progress made in implementing the Programme for Government. The Deputy will be aware that the Government intends to publish the second annual report in March 2013. Outlined in the table below is the current status of each of the recommendations for which the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility.
| Jobs Programme | |
|---|---|
| IN PROGRESS | Initiate a long-term strategy to develop new markets in emerging economies |
| Increasing Exports | |
| COMPLETED | We will establish an Export Trade Council to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all key departments and agencies involved in promotion and development of trade and exports, whose membership will be divided equally between government and private sector representatives who have experience in establishing and growing export-oriented business. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will position Ireland to develop better trade relationships with emerging economies, including the establishment of local trade and investment teams. These teams will execute detailed local market plan, with progress against targets reviewed annually. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will develop cultural and diplomatic links with emerging markets including a scholarship scheme. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will actively develop the export of educational services. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will progressively implement the recommendations in the Trading and Investing in the Smart Economy Report |
| Innovation and Commercialisation | |
| COMPLETED FOR 2012 | We propose that the week in which the 9th May, “Europe Day” falls will be the occasion for a week-long parliamentary debate on Ireland’s priorities within the EU. The debate will review the national progress in implementing the current year’s work programme and focus on identifying the major issues of concern to Ireland for inclusion on the following year’s EU Draft work Programme. |
| Passports, Citizenship, Immigration and Asylum | |
| IN PROGRESS | Consideration will be given to transferring the passport service from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Justice to operate as an Independent Executive Agency under the aegis of that Department. |
| Foreign Affairs, ODA and Defence | |
| IN PROGRESS COMPLETED | We will ensure that our diplomatic network aids the repair of our reputation through a transparent and responsible approach to winning inward investment and we will recall Ireland’s Ambassadors within 100 days of this new government for briefings on a new approach to promoting and marketing Ireland as a country to do business in. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will review the 2006 White Paper on Overseas Development Aid. |
| IN PROGRESS | In times of humanitarian crises, we will unite NGOs that provide humanitarian aid to create a single appeals mechanism for national fundraising and public response. This will maximise publicity for the cause, the receipt of emergency funds and ensure the effective and co-ordinated dispersal of emergency aid. The State will financially support these NGOs in their response. |
| IN PROGRESS | We are committed to the 0.7% of GNP target for Overseas Development Aid. We will seek to achieve this by 2015. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will position Ireland, in particular Shannon airport, to become an international hub for the storage and distribution of emergency humanitarian supplies. |
| IN PROGRESS | We will seek to establish a Civilian Corps, which could allow some job seekers use and share their skills in developing countries while retaining some job seeker’s benefit. |
| COMPLETED | We will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law. |
| Northern Ireland | |
| IN PROGRESS | We support the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrew’s Agreement. |
| IN PROGRESS | Committed to publishing and acting on the recommendations of the first Review of the North-South Implementation Bodies and Areas for Co-operation; and we will progress the second Review, which will identity new areas for North South co-operation. |
| IN PROGRESS | Work for greater economic co-operation to accelerate the process of recovery and creation of jobs on this island. |
| IN PROGRESS | The threat from dissident paramilitary groups cannot be underestimated. We will foster the continuing strong relationships between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to deal with this threat and we will also ensure the necessary resources to deal with these groups. |
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