Robinson rules out EU post in order to fight climate change

MARY ROBINSON yesterday ruled out a bid to become EU Council President, claiming she was going to focus on climate change and its effects on the developing world.

The former president, who has also worked as a high commissioner for human rights, had been linked with the new EU post in recent weeks, but speaking at the EU Development Days conference in Stockholm yesterday she said she would not be putting her name forward.

“I did appreciate that people were clearly putting my name forward, but in fact I am very committed to the further divide now being created by the impacts of climate change in the poorest countries,” she said.

“I want to be able to take the perspective of the poorest countries globally, notably in Africa but also the small islands, because there does need to be a change in how we see climate change.

“The icons at the moment are the polar bear and melting glaciers; I love polar bears but actually the reality is suffering, poor people, particularly in the farming community, indigenous community, and they need to be part of a much more visible sense of how we address these issues.

“I really want to come back to Ireland next year and work on that with many people in Ireland and outside and that’s where I see my future.”

She said there were a number of talented women who could take the reins as EU Council President, a new role included in the Lisbon Treaty.

Earlier, speaking at a debate on trade and role of the private sector in times of recession, Ms Robinson said EU and US subsidies as well as a lack of responsibility by multi-national corporations were hampering development in many countries around the world.

She said extractive industries, such as diamond and gold mining, had many problems in developing countries and she said the EU should follow the US in drafting legislation guarding against companies engaging in illegal practices.

She cited cases in some African countries where smaller mining firms have staff attacked or are subjected to repressive measures.

She added that she was not aware of any Irish company with foreign business interests which may be involved in negative practices.