Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In January 2015, the Taoiseach and I launched a review of Ireland's foreign policy, “The Global Island: Ireland's Foreign Policy for a Changing World”. This review was the culmination of a wide-ranging process of consultation conducted by my Department involving other Government Departments, members of the Oireachtas, civil society and members of the public. It offers a progressive and forward-looking vision of Ireland's foreign policy and our place in the world.

Through our foreign policy, we safeguard our peace, security and economic prosperity and promote reconciliation and cooperation at home. We make a distinctive and principled contribution to the collective international effort to build a better world. At its core are the protection of our citizens and the promotion of our interests and values abroad.

To achieve these purposes, the review identifies our key goals under a number of broad themes. Through its focus on “our people”, the review takes stock of the ongoing work in pursuit of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, as well as the provision of support for Irish citizens travelling, living and working abroad, our growing engagement with the Irish diaspora, and the promotion of Irish culture abroad. In addressing “our values”, the review sets out Ireland's support for a fairer, more just, more secure and more sustainable world through our development programme, human rights policies, peacekeeping, disarmament and security policies and growing engagement with global issues such as climate change, while also considering the role of the EU and UN in amplifying Ireland's voice and extending its influence. In relation to “our prosperity” the review considers the global economic background to the ongoing efforts in support of recovery, growth and job creation, in particular through trade, tourism, education, investment and the enhancement of Ireland's reputation.

The review also considers the fundamental importance for Ireland of our place in Europe and how the Government engages across the broad agenda of EU decision-making to safeguard and promote Ireland's interests and to shape the EU and its global engagement. In addition, it considers how Ireland can use its influence and leverage the resources available to secure the maximum benefit for the Irish people from Ireland's international engagement.

The review sets out a clear vision of Ireland's global role and of the interests and values we wish to promote through our foreign policy. It will provide the framework for the Government's international engagement, and in particular for the work of my Department and of Ireland's embassy network, in the years ahead.