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

Yes they are. It was remarkable on the occasion of the conference how a wide number of states coming from a particular ideological background were prepared from a humanitarian perspective to make a contribution. Our contribution to that region - our contribution to the Palestinian situation - amounts to in excess of €10 million per annum, which is a substantial sum in the general scheme of things. It underlines our commitment to ensuring that we make our contribution towards a peaceful resolution to what is a very difficult circumstance. I will have the opportunity to attend in coming weeks.

Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan has raised this issue in parliamentary questions and at this committee. It is a very important issue in terms of business, trade, commerce and human rights. I agree with her that it should not be left exclusively to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We make submissions to our ministerial colleagues across a range of Departments and we should continue to do so in a way that promotes human rights best practice throughout the world. It should not be the exclusive role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Our national plan in terms of business and human rights will be important in that regard because we will have an opportunity of drawing from a number of stakeholders throughout society. I believe this committee was represented at the forum. If it was not represented in November, I am sure the forum would be very happy to hear the views of the committee as outlined by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan and others.

It is important that progress on the plan be formulated and agreed in early course. Trade missions and human rights, as mentioned earlier by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, are important. One of the most valuable assets any business, trading company or indeed country has is its reputation. As I have said, we enjoy an enhanced reputation in the area of advancing human rights in jurisdictions where improvements in that area can and should be made.

We know from our own economic experience that we have been working extremely hard to restore our own reputation in the context of our economic crisis. However, we need to pursue actively and in a vigilant manner the human rights concerns we may have. We need to take advantage of the most appropriate opportunities to make our case, in public on occasion and in private on occasion, occasionally through multilateral fora and occasionally on a bilateral level on a case-by-case basis. I believe we do that to very god effect. We discuss human rights on a regular basis with Ministers from other countries, including on trade missions.

As I do not have a copy of the trade mission programme for this year with me, I am not in a position to give it to the Deputy, but I would be happy to do so afterwards. We have our plan formulated for this year and I would be happy to share it with her. If she has any issues she would like raised in the course of those missions, I would be happy to give that consideration.

I will not go into the issues of corruption in Uganda as mentioned by Deputy Quinn. That issue will be covered in some detail by the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, as it is more appropriate to the Vote for which he has responsibility.