Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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210. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the decision of the Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly not to seek re-election, his plans to contribute to the debate on the possible restructuring of the organisation. [15186/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Government wishes to acknowledge the dedicated work undertaken by Spencer Oliver in developing the parliamentary dimension of the OSCE during his tenure as Secretary General of the OSCE Parliament Assembly (PA). While supportive of many aspects of the work of the OSCE, the Parliamentary Assembly is independent of the key decision making bodies of the organisation. State governments are represented in these decision-making bodies, whereas the Parliamentary Assembly facilitates inter-parliamentary dialogue outside of the intergovernmental process. As such, the Assembly has its own rules and procedures, and any new restructuring initiatives are for the members of the Parliamentary Assembly to decide. However, the Parliamentary Assembly does play an active part in the ‘Helsinki +40’ reform process launched by my predecessor, the then Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE in 2012. ‘Helsinki +40’ is a three year reform effort that provides an opportunity to critically examine the OSCE’s roles, structures, tools and instruments with a view to making them better suited to the peace and security challenges of the 21st Century in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region. The results of extensive consultations under the auspices of the Parliamentary Assembly will be considered at the Assembly’s annual meeting in July of this year.

The Government welcomes the active engagement of the Parliamentary Assembly in the ‘Helsinki +40’ process. Our Permanent Representative in Vienna is special co-ordinator for 'effectiveness and efficiency' issues under the ‘Helsinki +40’ process. In that capacity, our Representative regularly engages with the Assembly on proposals aimed at strengthening its role and influence in the service of OSCE objectives.