Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cowen. Before calling Mr. Dodwell to reply to the number of questions and indeed not to be repetitive, I would like to underline what Senator O'Reilly said about the priority that the committee has placed over several years on the Colombian peace process. The opening of an Irish Embassy in Bogota in 2019 and the resident Colombian ambassadorial office in Dublin since 2018 have been important in intensifying and deepening the bilateral relationship.

I acknowledge the work of the ambassador, H.E. Patricia Cortés Ortiz here in Dublin. At every level, she ensures this committee is fully briefed and that civil society in Ireland is engaged in what is an important peace process for us. This is not something new, as Senator Joe O'Reilly has said. This committee prioritised relations between Ireland and Colombia during the administration of President Santos. That continued under the regime of President Duque and it will continue under the new administration of President Petro. In fact, reading the speech given by the President at his inauguration, he seemed to be very strong on what he described as a "second opportunity" for Colombia. He said people have earned this and he was going to prioritise it.

Is the level of optimism contained in the President's inauguration day speech still evident in Colombia now? He spoke of a new hope. Mr. Dodwell said the peace process has survived, as though that in itself was an important aspect of current deliberations in Colombia. In his speech, President Petro referred to the importance of social dialogue in every corner of the country. He stressed that he was to be the President of all of Colombia. He also said that the absence of the state hurts in many parts of Colombia. Is there evidence to endorse what he said in his address? What steps have been taken so far to ensure Colombia does not have no-go areas? This aspect seems to be suggested in the contents of President Petro's early speech.

Turning to what Senator Joe O'Reilly mentioned regarding the search unit for missing persons and victims of enforced disappearances, is there evidence of engagement by victims and victims' groups to ensure confidence in the institutions set up? Some of these have existed for some time. I was pleased to note that over the years, and the last five or six years in particular, Ireland has been closely associated with EU initiatives regarding assistance and support for Colombia, with particular reference to the trust fund. Ireland has contributed some €17 million to it. Does Mr. Dodwell still have confidence in the continuation of that level of EU support that we saw some years ago? Deputy Stanton referred to refugees. Perhaps Mr. Dodwell might give us a brief outline of the impact of the refugee situation, especially regarding those from Venezuela. I refer to the impact this situation has had on the challenge of economic development or economic confidence in the context of the new regime.

I thank Mr. Dodwell not only for his engagement with us but for his broader engagement here across civil society and in Britain. He is raising awareness and ensuring that we are not only apprised of the situation in Colombia but are in a position to act in the manner he described earlier while replying to Deputy Brady. I thank Mr. Dodwell and Mr. Finn for being here. I will leave them with those few questions.