• Foreign Policy 
• United Nations
• European Union Membership
• EU Common Foreign & Security Policy
• Irish Aid
• The Irish Abraod
• Useful Links

Foreign Policy

The Constitution of Ireland affirms Ireland’s strong commitment to the ideal of peace and friendly cooperation amongst nations founded on international justice and morality. Ireland’s foreign policy is based on this conviction.

As a small country in a changing world, Ireland remains firmly committed to collective approaches to international relations and security based on the primacy of the Charter of the United Nations. Key principles underlying this commitment are respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law. Ireland seeks to pursue these core objectives in cooperation with regional and bilateral partners and through its membership of international organisations, in particular its membership of the United Nations and of the European Union.

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United Nations

Ireland joined the United Nations (UN) on 14 December 1955. Within the UN, Ireland has sought to promote effective international action on global issues such as disarmament, peace-keeping, human rights and development. Ireland's membership of the UN Security Council in 2001-2002 reinforced its commitment to working with the wider UN membership for international peace and security. This commitment is reflected in the continuous participation in UN peace keeping operations by Irish Defence and Police Forces since 1958. Irish personnel are currently serving in a number of UN peace support operations in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Our commitment to the UN is also reflected in the increasing contributions Ireland is making to UN Funds and Programmes. The then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD was asked by the UN Secretary General to be one of his Envoys for UN reform in the lead up to the UN World Summit in

September 2005, which reaffirmed the Millennium Development Goals and helped to ensure that the UN is better equipped to meet today's threats and challenges. Ireland is also a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court, established by the international community through the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998.

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European Union Membership

Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC) on 1 January 1973 and has participated actively in the evolution of what is now the European Union (EU). EU membership is pivotal to Government policy. It is a central framework within which the Government pursues its foreign policy objectives. Ireland’s membership of the European Union is rooted in an understanding that the Union is the cornerstone of political and economic stability in Europe.

Membership gives Irish exporters full access to the European single market, and this has contributed to Ireland’s economic success. EU involvement enables Ireland’s views and interests to be reflected in the policies of the Union which exercises considerable influence in world affairs. Ireland’s participation in world affairs enhances its capacity to pursue its traditional policy of promoting a stable, peaceful and prosperous international environment with structures based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and representative government.

Ireland has held the six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on six occasions, in 1975, 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996 and 2004. Ireland’s sixth EU Presidency ran from 1 January to 30 June 2004. This presidency was widely praised internationally and saw the accession of ten new Member States to the European Union: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. 

On 1 January 2007, Bulgaria and Romania became the latest States to accede to the EU, increasing the total number of Member States to 27.

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EU Common Foreign and Security Policy

Ireland’s voice in the world and the pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy is greatly enhanced through its participation in the formulation and implementation of the European Union’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP). As a community of shared values, the EU is uniquely placed to play a role in support of international peace and stability. 

In today’s globalised and increasingly interdependent world, Ireland and its EU partners work together to promote international peace and security and co-operative and mutually beneficial relations with neighbouring states and regions. Core principles that have always inspired Ireland’s foreign policy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, are also central to the pursuit of the CFSP. Another important element of the CFSP is the Union’s developing capabilities in the areas of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and crisis management under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. Ireland has played an active role in the development of the ESDP and will continue to contribute constructively to this process in accordance with our own foreign policy priorities and traditions.

The EU has played a special role in support of peace, reconstruction and reconciliation in the Western Balkans and this is a continuing priority for Ireland and the Union as a whole. Following the 2004 enlargement, relations with Russia and with the Union’s new neighbours – Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova – have become more important for the European Union, which is also developing closer relations with the Caucasus and the countries of the southern Mediterranean. In tandem with these developments, Ireland’s links to these areas are growing. 

Cooperation between Ireland and its EU partners is also very important in key international fora such as the UN, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe.

In its bilateral relations, Ireland has sought to build mutually beneficial relationships with a broad range of countries, reflecting the varied and deep connections which have been built up over many years with different parts of the world. These relationships have, in part, contributed to our recent economic progress. However, economic considerations are only one aspect of Ireland’s relations with other countries.

A particular focus has been relations with the countries of Africa, reflecting a longstanding tradition and commitment to development cooperation and to the pursuit of peace and stability, good governance and respect for human rights in Africa. We seek to achieve these goals through working with African partners, and through membership of international organisations, particularly the EU and the UN. Ireland has also sought to deepen its relations with the countries of Asia and Latin America through the developing trade, business and cultural links, and through cooperation with regional organisations and at the UN.

The search for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and for stability in the wider Middle East is also a key concern for Ireland, mindful of our experience of our own peace process in Northern Ireland. In this regard we value the role played by the European Union as a member of the Quartet alongside the United States, the UN and Russia. Ireland has also traditionally attached considerable importance to disarmament and non-proliferation, including of Weapons of Mass Destruction. This is a concern which continues to motivate our approach to broader questions of international security including the threat posed by international terrorism and other non-State actors. A more recent concern is to reach agreement on a global approach to environmental protection and sustainable development, a challenge which faces the wider international community.

Ireland enjoys close links with the United States based on ties of friendship and cooperation developed through a shared history of emigration and an increasingly strong economic relationship. In the context of the wider transatlantic relationship, Ireland is committed to improving cooperation between the EU and the US and between the EU and Canada with a focus on enhancing international peace and stability.

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Irish Aid

Irish Aid is the Government of Ireland’s official programme of assistance to developing countries. The Irish Aid programme is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Ireland has had an official development assistance programme since 1974. It has grown steadily over the years from modest beginnings to an estimated budget of €914 million for total official development assistance (ODA) in 2008. The Government is committed to reaching the United Nations target of spending 0.7% of GNP on ODA in 2012.

Ireland’s development cooperation policy is an integral part of Ireland’s wider foreign policy. The Irish Aid programme reflects our longstanding commitment to human rights and fairness in international relations.

Responsibility for Irish foreign policy, including assistance to developing countries lies in the first instance with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. However, particular responsibility for policy on Overseas Development is assigned to a Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

White Paper on Irish Aid

On 18th September 2006 the Government published Ireland’s first ever White Paper on Irish Aid.  A statement of Government policy, the White Paper places the cause of development at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy.

The White Paper reflects the views of many people who contributed to a consultation process around Ireland. It will guide the work of the Irish Aid programme as it grows over the coming years. The White Paper is available on the Department’s and Irish Aid’s websites.

Poverty Focus

Irish Aid has as its absolute priority the reduction of poverty, inequality and exclusion in developing countries. All of Irish Aid’s policies and activities are gauged against their contribution in this respect and against the progress they achieve towards the Millennium Development Goals.

The Declaration which was adopted at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000 included eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Goals are specific time-bound measurable targets, to be achieved by 2015. The MDGs commit the international community to:

*          Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;

*          Achieve universal primary education;

*          Promote gender equality and empower women;

*          Reduce child mortality;

*          Improve maternal health;

*          Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;

*          Ensure environmental sustainability;

*          Develop a global partnership for development.

Geographic Focus

Since its inception in 1974, Ireland’s development assistance programme has had a strong geographic focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. Under the bilateral part of its programme, Irish Aid operates intensive and wide-ranging country programmes in seven countries in Africa, namely; Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi and Uganda. These are termed “Programme Countries”.  There are two programme countries in Asia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.

Beyond our Programme Countries, Irish Aid supports development programmes with different multilateral and NGO partners in over thirty of the world’s poorest countries each year.

Untied Aid

Ireland’s development assistance has always been completely untied, that is to say, it is not conditional in any way on the use of Irish goods or services. It is Government policy that funding should remain untied, as tied aid is less effective in its impact, can lead to a proliferation of different standards and technologies in developing countries and can be abused to provide hidden export subsidies.

Partnership

Partnership is a fundamental principle guiding Irish Aid’s approach. Irish Aid works in close partnership with recipient countries, with other donors and multilateral organisations and with non-governmental organisations and missionaries. Partnership with the recipient countries is vital if the beneficiaries of Irish Aid are to have ownership of their own development.

Coordination with other donors, international organisations and NGOs and missionaries, is an increasingly important part of the international development effort and offers the benefits of shared information, analysis and experience, and the opportunity to maximise the impact of our collective efforts.

Effectiveness

Irish Aid is strongly committed to ensuring aid effectiveness, based on the principles of partnership, support for locally owned strategies, better coordination and policy coherence. Irish Aid makes continuous efforts to improve reporting and monitoring and to promote a results-based culture. The formulation of Programme Country Strategies, the implementation and delivery of programmes, the various grant schemes, the evaluation and audit function and internal organisation are all informed by the need to maximise effectiveness.

Accountability

The management and expenditure of an expanding budget is a significant responsibility for Irish Aid. Like most public expenditure, the programme’s budget is voted expenditure, authorised by a vote of the Dáil each year, and must be managed in accordance with the public financial procedures governing the use of State resources. In addition to the requirements of public financial procedures, rigorous systems are required to ensure full accountability and value for money for activities under all headings of the programme. An Annual Report on Irish Aid, including detailed accounts of expenditure, has been published since 1978. The Annual Report is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on publication.

For more information on Irish Aid please go to: www.irishaid.gov.ie

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The Irish Abroad

The global spread of our Diaspora is very considerable. For a small nation, it is practically unparalleled. More than one million Irish citizens are currently living abroad, and it is estimated that as many as 70 million people worldwide can claim Irish descent. Our largest emigrant communities have consistently lived in Britain and the United States; Irish citizens have also been an influential presence in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Southern Africa for very many decades. While the precise number of Irish citizens resident around the world is not known, the enormous contribution they have made to their host countries and to Ireland is well documented.

The Irish abroad have integrated well into their adopted communities, but have never cut their links with home. Many have retained a strong sense of their Irish heritage, which they continue to assert through involvement in Irish community associations and participation in Irish sporting and cultural activities. Increasingly, people born abroad of Irish descent are also seeking to express the Irish dimension of their identity, a factor which has contributed to the global renaissance in Irish language studies, history, music and dance in recent years.

Although emigration from Ireland has reduced substantially over the past decade, the Irish abroad continue to be vibrant and active communities. Through the contributions they make to the countries in which they have settled, and through their continuing links with Ireland, they act as an important channel for promoting a positive image of Ireland abroad.

The high priority and value that the Government attaches to the Diaspora is reflected in the substantial funding it provides to support Irish community, cultural and heritage projects across the world. This year, more than €15 million has been set aside for the support of projects in Britain, the United States, Australia, Argentina, Canada, Southern Africa, New Zealand and elsewhere. Supporting a wider range of initiatives across a greater geographic range than ever before, the Government is strengthening the connection between our Diaspora and home, and actively recognizing the tremendous contributions the Irish abroad continue to make, both to Ireland and to their adopted countries.

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Useful Links

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