Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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205. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he proposes to put forward at the next European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting on the need for the European Union to strengthen all necessary measures to deal more effectively with international terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13746/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism has been high on the EU agenda in recent months. Foreign Ministers have focused in particular on the contribution that the EU can make through its external action to the effort to prevent and counter terrorism at the international level. We have discussed strategies to engage with third countries to prevent violent extremism and to strengthen their capacity to detect and prevent terrorism in full compliance with international law and human rights.The Foreign Affairs Council of 9 February 2015 agreed detailed conclusions under five headings: strengthening partnerships with key countries, supporting capacity building, countering radicalisation and violent extremism, promoting international cooperation and addressing underlying factors and ongoing crises. The Informal European Council on 12 February took account of our discussions and conclusions. In their statement, EU Heads of State and Government set out a range of priorities to guide our further work and that of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers.

Ireland supports the comprehensive approach being taken at EU level to preventing and countering terrorism. At meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council I have highlighted the need for measures to be human rights-compliant and in accordance with international law. I have stressed the need to tackle underlying factors that contribute to radicalisation and terrorism and in particular the importance of the link between security and development. I have also emphasised the need to ensure a joined-up approach in relation to the discussions of Foreign Ministers and those of our Justice and Home Affairs counterparts.

I am satisfied that these priorities have been reflected in the EU’s approach to date and I shall continue to underline these points when the issue is next on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council, most likely in May.