Fianna Fáil Foreign Affairs Policy Paper

7/21/2019 Fianna Fil Foreign Affairs Policy Paper

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Brendan Smith TDSPOKESPERSON ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

AND BORDER REGION DEVELOPMENT

Policy Paper onForeign Affairs

APRIL 2015


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FIANNA FIL POLICY PAPER ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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CONTENTS

Forward 2

North/South and British-Irish Relations 3

Peace Keeping and Neutrality 5

The Diaspora 6

European Union 7

Development Aid 10

United Nations 11

The Middle East 12

Irelands Diplomatic Footprint 13

Global Conflict 14

Human Rights 15

Expanding our Trade Network 16


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Forward

Fianna Fil is committed to an Irish Foreign Policy that promotes and protects

the interests and values of the Irish people. Our policy is rooted in the primacy

of human rights, the promotion of the international rule of law and democratic

values.

Fianna Fil has always led historic developments in Irelands foreign policy. We

sought Irish membership of the United Nations. We initiated and successfully

completed Irelands entry into the European Union. Our Party, while in

government, spearheaded the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Good

Friday Agreement and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

In our history, our Party has never been afraid to be the voice of the voiceless,

to highlight injustice or to be courageous in fighting for what is right on the

international stage. We bring many of the values of our independent foreign

policy tradition to the EU and other international tables.

We commit to building on that proud tradition.

Brendan Smith TD

Fianna Fil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade


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KEY POSITIONS

North/South and British-Irish Relations

Our Position:Fianna Fil continues to seek to secure in peace and agreement the

unity of Ireland and its people.

The Good Friday Agreement, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the people on

the island of Ireland, allows for the unity of Ireland with the consent of a majority of

the people in both parts of this island. This is a goal Fianna Fil will continue to

pursue.

Since the mid-1990s the relationships between Ireland and the United Kingdom and

the relationship between the different traditions on the island of Ireland have been

transformed. Ireland is at peace. The potential and opportunity created by this peace

is unprecedented.

Fianna Fil has been central to the transformed relationships we are witnessing

today. In Government, Fianna Fil spearheaded the Downing Street Declaration, the

Good Friday Agreement, the St Andrews Agreement and the Hillsborough Castle

Agreement.

Direct Involvement by Governments:We believe that both the British and Irish

Governments must continue their direct involvement in consolidating and building

on the peace secured in Northern Ireland. The need to implement meaningful

proposals to deal with the past and the outstanding elements of the Good Friday

Agreement and subsequent agreements, the continuous threat from dissidents, and

the challenges of inequality and poverty necessitate direct involvement from the

national governments of both states. All-Ireland Economy:The potential of the Good Friday Agreement can be enhanced

further to maximise the opportunities presented through the development of the all-

Ireland economy which would increase prosperity for citizens on both sides of the

border. Cross-border infrastructure projects such as the N2/A5, the Narrow Water

Bridge Project, the restoration of the Ulster Canal and Dublin-Belfast Railway

upgrade are vital in this regard and should be pursued.


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Implement Fully the Good Friday Agreement:All elements of the Good Friday

Agreement must be implemented in full. As an internationally binding agreement

both Governments and the Northern Executive must commit to passing a Bill of

Rights for Northern Ireland and introducing Acht na Gaeilge.

North/South Bodies:Fianna Fil supports increasing the number of North-South

competencies in areas where it is mutually beneficial to do so. Further co-operation

in areas such as job creation, trade, educational services in Further and Higher

Education, health service provision and policing should be examined.

Fianna Fil believes it is time to establish a Border Development Zone as a North-

South body which would work to integrate infrastructure and public services in

certain spheres such as health, broadband and other utilities.

North-South Institute: Fianna Fil calls for further co-operation in the area ofeducation and research through a formal North/South research institute. Our Party

will examine the idea of establishing a specific Institute/Department in a third level

institution to deal exclusively with North/South developments. This 'Institute' would

deal solely with driving the North/South agenda and produce research on the

potential for further development in North-South cooperation.

Civic Forum:Fianna Fil believes the Civic Forum as set out in the Good Friday

Agreement should be restored in an effort to empower communities and

organisations that are currently not heard in the Northern Ireland Assembly, yet we

recognise this is a matter for the parties in Northern Ireland.


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Peace Keeping and Neutrality

Irelands strong tradition of military neutrality and non-membership of military

alliances has enhanced its capacity to play a strong role in the humanitarian and

peace-support roles of the UN and engage in the EUs CommonSecurity and Defence

Policy where practical.

Fianna Fil is firmly opposed to the militarisation of the EU and would strenuously

oppose any move to create a European army.

Fianna Fil wishes to see the EU play a fuller part in supporting the peace support

and peace keeping efforts of the UN. The EU has a responsibility to use its resources

and capabilities to enhance its peacekeeping, peace support and humanitarian

capacities.

Fianna Fil is proud of the contribution of the Defence Forces/glaigh na hireann in

UN peace-keeping missions around the world. Our continuing participation in UN

mandated peace support operations enhances our international reputation and

reaffirms our national commitment to the United Nations. Fianna Fil believes that

our Defence Forces/glaigh na hireann are of critical importance to both state and

society.


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The Diaspora

Ireland must do its utmost to engage and embrace its Diaspora. The Irish Nation is

made up of its citizens in Ireland, north and south as well as Irish people who live

abroad.

As a Party, we are proud to have been the first political party to appoint a

Spokesperson for the Irish Overseas and the Diaspora in the history of the

Oireachtas.

Fianna Fil welcomes the appointment of a Minster with responsibility for the Irish

Overseas and the Diaspora.

We also believe that all citizens of Ireland should be entitled to full voting rights in

Presidential elections even if resident outside the Irish State.

Fianna Fil also proposes that there should be a representative of the Diaspora

included in a reformed Seanad. This representative would act as a voice for the Irish

abroad in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Voting rights for the Diaspora should also be

examined in Seanad elections.

Funding for the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) must be ring-fenced to ensure

that the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities are supported. The work carried out by the GAA, Comhaltas Ceoltir ireann and other voluntary

organisations must be supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs in their

exceptional work bringing together the Irish community overseas.

Fianna Fil will continue to seek a comprehensive solution to the plight of the

undocumented Irish citizens living and working in the United States.


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European Union

Our Position: Fianna Fil is committed to a democratic and accountable European

Union of member states who work together for the mutual benefit of all Europes

citizens. We believe strongly in the principle of subsidiarity which guarantees the

freedom of member states to act where they are most effective. Over the past two

decades we have seen a number of European institutional developments which have

sought to deepen and enhance the process of European integration. While we do

not wish to see any of these rolled back, we do recognise that the speed and nature

of some of these moves have left many citizens unsure and disconnected from the

European Union.

The EU must pursue policies which promote growth, equality and fairness for all

citizens. While we strongly believe that Irelands best interests both politically and

economically are best served by our remaining at the centre of the European Union

and the Eurozone, we also believe that we must critically analyse all political

developments in the EU to ensure that the interests of the Irish people are best

served by those developments.

Rebuild EMU:Fianna Fil also calls for a re-examination of the structures of theEconomic and Monetary Union as well as the mandate of the European Central Bank.

The architecture to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Eurozone still needs to

be put in place to provide a secure basis for the future prosperity of the Union. The

ECBs mandate must require policies for targeted growth as well as targeting

inflation.

Banking Union:Fianna Fil believes that a fully functioning banking union must

include common regulation, common deposit insurance and a common resolution

mechanism. Without these elements, a fully functioning banking union will not be

achieved.

Separate Sovereign and Banking Debt:Fianna Fil believes that the EU must fulfil its

commitment to separate sovereign debt and banking debt within the Union. The

Euro Area Heads of State or Government agreed in June 2012 to break the vicious

circle between banks and sovereigns. It is now time to fulfil this commitment by


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retroactively recapitalising Irish banks and recognising the unfair burden Ireland has

largely due to ECB insistence at critical points of the financial crisis.

Create a Fiscal and Transfer Union:Fianna Fil also calls for a more ambitious fiscal

union within the EU, in particular one which involves transfers between states and

allows the Union some modest revenue raising capacity in order to balance the

economic equilibrium of the EU.

Fighting Climate Change: Fianna Fil believes that Europe must lead in the fight

against climate change. We must ensure that the EU supports sustainable, sensible

and renewable energy policies at a European level. The EU must also ensure that our

international partners keep their commitments to reduce the causes of climate

change internationally. The implementation of policies to tackle climate change must

ensure the safeguarding of sustainable food production systems, which are vitallyimportant in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. We support policies which

reduce European dependency on outside energy resources. The EU must pursue

policies which increase energy security and stability within the Union. We need a

European energy policy which shields Europe from destabilising external political

actors who use energy resources as a political tool.

Irish Citizens at the Heart of Europe:Consideration should be given to establishing a

Training Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to promote and assist

Irish citizens in pursuing careers in the European Unions Institutions.

Enlargement:Fianna Fil believes that the EUs Enlargement policy is one of the

most effective foreign policy tools the Union has at its disposal. However, our Party

believes that it is important to consolidate the new EU legislative structures

introduced in the Treaty of Lisbon and through the ongoing building of economic

stability in the EU in advance of any further enlargement.

As the Union decides on how best to face the future, neighbouring countries should

be accommodated through the use of Partnerships which accord increasing bilateral

relations between the EU and the third-party country but does not result in full

membership of the EU in the short term.

Brexit: Ireland needs to prepare a contingency plan in the event that the UK

decides to leave the European Union. The UK is Ireland's biggest trading partner and

close ally in the European Institutions. It is also the only country with whom we


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share a land border. The Irish Government must have an action plan in place where

the UK decides to leave the EU outlining policy actions which will lessen the impact

of any British decision to leave on our economy, on our position in EU and our vital

relationship with the UK overall.


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Development Aid

Ireland and our people have a long and rich history of assisting developing countries

in providing health and education services through missionaries and non-

governmental organisations. Ireland should build on this rich history by seeking to

enhance our educational, political and economic links further with the developing

world.

We constantly see personnel of Irish Non-Governmental Organisations, supported by

Irish Aid and the voluntary financial contributions of Irish people, working in the

most difficult humanitarian situations. This work must be supported and

commended.

Ireland should remain committed to the UN goal of 0.7% of GNP in development aid.

We believe that all aid donated by the Irish Government should only be granted to

countries which have a strong record of accountability and transparency in how our

citizens money is spent. The Agencies who benefit from Irish Aid must also show

that the money given goes to those who are most in need. A full annual report with

financial statements outlining where funding goes must be produced by these

Agencies. Ireland must pursue the huge potential and opportunities presented by the

increasing trade and educational opportunities arising in the developing world. The

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade along with other Government Departments

and Statutory Agencies must play a central role in helping Irish business connect with

these opportunities, especially in areas which would bring significant benefits to the

local population such as renewable energy and water technology.


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United Nations

Ireland believes in and is strongly supportive of the United Nations since we joined

the Organisation on 14 December 1955.

Fianna Fil remains committed to Irelands full and active participation in the UN.

However, we believe that the UN as originally constructed is in serious need of

reform. One area which must be changed is the holding of a veto by the larger

powers in the Security Council.

The Security Council of the UN must be reformed. This body suffers from a lack of

legitimacy and representation. In the 70 years since the UN was founded the number

of Member States has almost quadrupled, from 51 to 193 states, but the number of

permanent members of the Security Council (the P5) is the same today as it was

when it was created, and the number of non-permanent members has increased

only from six to 10.

Fianna Fil believes the UN Security Council must be reformed to better reflect the

current geopolitical situation in the world. Africa must be represented in any new

configuration and consideration should be given to the creation of one seat for the

European Union. The use of veto by permanent members must also be examined. The United Nations Training School Ireland (UNTSI) was established in 1993 as a

constituent of the Defence Forces Military College at the Curragh to draw on

Irelands unique peacekeeping experience. Fianna Fil commits to expanding this

school further and developing it as a major international academy for peacekeeping.


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The Middle East

Ireland was the first European Union Member State to declare that a solution to the

conflict in the Middle East had to be based on a fully sovereign State of Palestine,

independent of and co-existing with Israel. Fianna Fil in Government launched that

policy position in 1980 and continues to strongly support that position today.

The lack of progress made in achieving that goal has been deeply unsatisfactory and

has resulted in continued instability in the region. It has added to the failure to bring

peace to both Israelis and Palestinians

Fianna Fil has spearheaded the campaign to seek the recognition of the state of

Palestine by the Irish Government and will continue to pursue this policy in

Government.

Fianna Fil continues to support any efforts to achieve a two state solution. We are

deeply concerned at the continuing advance of Israeli settlements in Palestinian

territory which are both illegal and make the two-state solution increasingly difficult

to implement.

Fianna Fail is in favour of Palestine becoming a party to the International Criminal

Court. Fianna Fil also supports an EU-wide ban on certain Israeli settlement goods within

the Union.


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Irelands Diplomatic Footprint

Ireland must examine how best to maintain and expand its diplomatic missions

across the world. As a small country which depends heavily on international trade, it

is vital that we maintain our diplomatic representation in as many countries as

possible. Where this is not viable, full use should be made of EU missions.

Our embassy network must be trade focused and work in an integrated manner with

IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and other State Agencies to ensure that no

opportunity is lost in increasing trade opportunities for Ireland.

Fianna Fil believes that our embassy network must also act as a focal point for Irish

citizens living abroad and the Diaspora. Countries that have seen an increase in Irish

citizens living and working there should be given increased resources to cater for the

needs of Irish citizens.

In larger countries, Ireland should consider expanding our Honorary Consular

network, especially in areas where there is a high Irish expatriate population.

Honorary Consulates are a cost effective way of expanding our network and

providing a service to Irish citizens who live abroad.

Fianna Fil commits to reopening our consulate in Cardiff, Wales reflecting thestrong ties between our two countries. We also committee to examining the

possibility of reopening the Irish Embassy in Tehran, in the Islamic Republic of Iran.


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Global Conflict

Fianna Fil supports efforts on de-escalating the crisis in Ukraine. We support calls

on all sides to continue engaging in a meaningful and inclusive dialogue leading to a

lasting solution; to protect the unity and territorial integrity of the country and to

strive to ensure a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all Ukraine's citizens.

Fianna Fil supports the EU in its proposals to step-up its support for Ukraine's

economic and political reforms.

Fianna Fil is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Iraq

and Syria. We strongly condemn the attacks perpetrated by the Islamic State. Ireland

should support efforts by EU Member States to undermine and end the advance of

ISIS and support a political solution to the current conflict in Iraq. Ireland must also

prepare for the return of Irish citizens who have engaged in combat in Iraq and Syria.

We need to ensure that all our citizens are protected from any radical terrorist

threat posed by our own citizens, whether that threat occurs from dissidents or

those returning from the Middle East.

The Good Friday Agreement remains one of the greatest achievements of our

generation and its key lessons and experiences we should share in a structured waywith others striving to achieve peace in their own homelands. To this end Fianna Fil

would encourage the establishment of a foundation/institution to record and share

the analysis and experience of all the key players from across all communities from

the build up to the agreement, to its negotiation and to its slow, sometimes faltering

implementation. This institution would not seek to prescribe our peace process

model, but rather to encourage study visits to Ireland, North and South, to share

lessons and experiences with those who helped build peace on our island.

Ireland should continue its full support for the International Campaign to Ban

Landmines and use its influence to pursue other countries to join this campaign.


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Human Rights

Promoting and protecting universal human rights must be at the heart of Ireland's

foreign policy.

Ireland must use its influence within the EU, the United Nations and amongst those

with whom we have strong bilateral relations to raise and promote the improvement

of human rights across the world.

Fianna Fil believes Ireland should promote the right to education for all and, in

particular, the rights of women to be treated equally across the world.

The protection and promotion of the rights of women in the world must inform all

aspects of our foreign policy and in particular our development aid policy.

In November 2012, Ireland was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council

for a three-year term, which began on 1 January 2013. Ireland should use this

opportunity to promote human rights in developing countries and consolidate the

case of human rights in Europe. Ireland must use every international forum to

highlight the pressing need to end the abuse of human rights.

Fianna Fil believes that the right to privacy and individual liberty is under serious

threat by both mass state surveillance programmes and the advance of large dataholding companies. There is a balance to be struck between state security and the

individuals right to privacy. Mass state surveillance programmes undermine the

values and rights associated with liberal democracies. The European Union and its

Member States have a responsibility to protect these values and as such condemn

any mass state surveillance programmes.


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EXPANDING OUR TRADE NETWORK

Africa

Fianna Fil believes in a new approach to Africa. We believe Ireland can lead a shift

in focus at European Union level from merely viewing Africa as a continent withwhich the main relationship is based around aid.

Ireland must develop further partnerships with the African Union and the Economic

Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Ireland currently has permanent

representatives to both bodies.

Recent economic growth experienced in Africa provides the opportunity for Ireland

to develop a new trade policy to maximise our export and investment opportunities.

Asia

Fianna Fil in Government pioneered the Asia strategy, launched in 1999. The first

phase of the Strategy, from 1999 to 2004, saw merchandise trade exports from

Ireland to Asia growing from 3.6bn in 1999 to over 6bn in 2004.

The second stage of the Asia Strategy set a target that total Irish exports to eight

priority countries [China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore,

and Vietnam] rise to 9bn per annum by 2009. By the end of 2008, total exports to

these priority countries had already reached 11 billion. From 1999 to 2009, Irish

trade with Asian countries grew by over 300%.

It is now time to develop a new trade strategy for Asia to build on the success of the

original Asia Strategy.

South/Central America The Asia Strategy launched in 1999 had two principal objectives: to improve political

and business contacts throughout Asia and to raise awareness of Ireland both as an

investment location and as a source of high quality goods and services. As a result of

the success of this strategy Fianna Fil believes an opportunity exists for Ireland to

develop similar diplomatic, business, trade, cultural and tourism links with Latin

American countries.


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Ireland's links with Latin America have not been fully celebrated or developed.

Among our first diplomatic missions were Argentina and Chile and there are strong

links between Ireland and these two countries. We need to enhance this

engagement further and develop a specific strategy to build our diplomatic and

trade network in South and Central America.

Ireland should seek to support and promote trade and political engagement with

Cuba through the European Union and encourage improvements in human rights

there. Fianna Fil supports the current EU negotiations with Cuba on a Political

Dialogue and Co-operation Agreement.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Fianna Fil supports the successful conclusion of the EU-US free trade agreementknown as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership once criteria

surrounding food standards are met and the jurisdiction of our courts is not

undermined by the proposed investor- state-dispute-settlement clause. This

agreement could boost the European economy by over 100 billion annually and

would support the tentative economic recovery which is currently being experienced

in Europe.

However, Fianna Fil has serious concerns surrounding the issue of food standards

and safety. The EU must ensure that food standards are not diminished in Europe by

this agreement. In that regard, the Irish Government must raise its voice to defend

Irelands interests in agriculture and the agri-food sector in the negotiations of this

deal. Fianna Fil is also opposed to any agreement which allows for the undermining

of the Irish courts jurisdiction through an investor- state-dispute-settlement (ISDS)

clause. A successful agreement must not diminish workers rights.

The former EU Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, pledged that EU law on GMOs

or hormone-treated beef will not change with TTIP. This is a pledge which the Union

must be robust in enforcing. Similarly, the chief EU negotiator has ruled out mutual

recognition on chemicals between the EU and the USA. We believe this is an

important start to guaranteeing the high standard of food quality within the EU

which must be maintained.


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Brendan Smith TDSPOKESPERSON ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

AND BORDER REGION DEVELOPMENT

Dil ireann,Dublin 2. Phone01-618 337601-618 4550

3 Carrickfern, Cavan.

049-4362366049-4362367

*[email protected] www.brendansmith.ie

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Fianna Fáil Foreign Affairs Policy Paper