Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
dency of the Council of the European Union in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the
matter. [8138/12]
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore): Work across
all Government Departments is continuing to identify the priorities and objectives of the Irish
Presidency of the Council of Ministers in 2013. These will be outlined in detail in the Irish
Presidency programme that will be published in December 2012. As with all Presidencies, the
Irish Presidency priorities will, to some extent, be influenced by the progress made by the
Danish and Cypriot Presidencies in 2012 in advancing issues on the EU agenda. However, the
Government has already identified a number of themes that will be of particular importance
during the Presidency. In response to the current economic and financial situation that we face,
a particular emphasis will be attached to achieving progress on measures to boost Europe’s
global competitiveness, stimulate sustainable economic growth and above all, to create jobs.
The Government will also seek agreement on any aspects of the Multiannual Financial
Framework (MFF), that remain outstanding. The MFF sets out the EU budget from 2014-2020.
Alongside the MFF process, other issues to be addressed are of major importance to Ireland
and the future development of the EU including the Common Agriculture Policy, the Common
Fisheries Policy, and initiatives such as Horizon 2020 (the EU’s future framework programme
for research and innovation) which will be critical for the EU’s economic development. Other
important issues areas will include energy, climate change and environmental issues.
The Government will continue to work intensively throughout 2012 to refine Ireland’s Presidency
priorities across all policy areas. Ministers will consult closely with our Partners and the
EU institutions as the programme process continues. The Government will also continue to
liaise with stakeholders in Ireland including representatives of civil society to ensure that the
programme addresses issues of national importance for Ireland.
Foreign Conflicts
113. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
his views on the ongoing political situation in Syria and in particular the ongoing human rights
abuses of Syrian citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7594/12]
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore): I have on a
number of occasions stated clearly my grave concerns at the deteriorating situation in Syria
and condemned the unacceptable violence and repression which is now estimated to have
claimed some 7,000 lives since last March. In my address to the Security Council in New York
on 9 February, I described the current situation in Syria as completely intolerable and condemned
the appalling suffering of the Syrian people at the hands of the Assad regime. I also
discussed the situation with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon and US Deputy Secretary
of State Burns during the course of my visit to the United States last week.
Given the serious implications for regional peace and security, it is deeply regrettable that
the Security Council has so far been unable to speak with a single voice on Syria, in failing to
pass a Resolution on 4 February which otherwise commanded the full support of the Council.
The ramifications of this failure have been made painfully clear in the past week as the violence
in Syria, and in particular the appalling attacks on the civilian population in cities such as
Homs, Bab Amr and Hama, has increased significantly. There is a desperate need for humanitarian
access, including medical assistance, to citizens in these areas.
The international community can no longer continue to ignore the daily escalation of bloodshed
and repression as the Assad regime seeks to extinguish the legitimate desire of ordinary
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