Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for coming and going and if the Minister has covered what I am going to raise. In respect of business and human rights, those of us on the committee who have been abroad - I know Iran was mentioned - meet ambassadors and delegations from other countries. There is never an issue with us bringing up human rights issues. There seems to be a reluctance on the part of other Ministries. It is almost a case of believing human rights are to do with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and do not involve any other Minister who is going abroad. We are a voice on human rights and are well respected. The Chairman played his part in getting us a role on the Human Rights Council. Sometimes we are not aware of the extent of the respect felt for us and how much more we could do. One of the points I made about the EU-Colombia agreement was that Irish companies must be to the fore when it comes to labour rights and relations. They could lead by example.

My other point concerns our commitment to overseas development aid. We are at a certain level but have slipped down from what we had agreed. Even though it is almost after the event, this meeting is a very good, open and transparent exercise. I acknowledge the funding of the Irish section of AWEPA in respect of the joint monitoring teams, but this is about encouraging greater engagement with African parliaments on overseas development aid and development issues in order that it is transparent and they have the same opportunity we have here. Would the Minister of State and Irish Aid consider allowing Irish Aid to make presentations at finance committees in our partner countries where a considerable amount of Irish aid goes in order that it is open and transparent and members of parliament and not just the government know where it is going? We have met parliamentarians from African countries who do not know.