Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that this is not the first time we have dealt with a trade agreement such as this and the more I study such agreements, the more I favour them. It makes me feel proud that, as Europeans, we support emerging democracies and provide substantial development aid to assist them in key areas such as the protection of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. I note that we are funding them to the tune of €120 million in the context of regional economic integration; security and the rule of law; and climate change. We are pumping €35 million into assisting them in addressing the issues of climate control, land development, food production and water resources.

In the past five years I have noted the concerns expressed by NGOs. I respect their views and the fact that they are on the ground in countries such as Colombia and Peru and that they have first-hand experience of the abuse of human rights such as land grabbing by multinationals or criminals. On the other hand, we have seen a very brave President Santos in Colombia negotiate with the FARC rebels in order to bring stability to his fine country in order that it can take its place among the nations of the world. At the time of the debate on the issue we expressed our concerns about human rights there and were assured that the European Union had core workers on the ground monitoring implementation of the agreements in place, which was excellent.

As we are in the last few weeks of the Government's cycle, it is important to recall that this committee also dealt with the Chilean Minister for Foreign Affairs. Chile is in Latin America rather than Central America. It was fascinating to see his enthusiasm for trade agreements and hear how beneficial such agreements with the European Union were for the Chilean people.

He was going further and further into the negotiations. Therefore, I think that sometimes, we, as Europeans, forget that we are acting in the best interests not just of pure capitalism, grabbing land and produce, but are actually contributing to the key areas of developing law, human rights and workers' rights. We are now trying to influence, in these Central American countries, all of those liberal democratic processes that we take for granted in the West.

We have already completed one agreement with Colombia and Peru. The Chilean foreign minister, who is a socialist, has spoken about the redistribution of wealth there and how he was opening up the educational system to all and sundry, whereas it had been privatised under the previous government. It is important that we, in the West, including Europe, recognise that there are democrats going through struggles in their own countries. They are deserving of support, financially, politically and through development aid.

I am enthusiastic about what I have read here. I see that the Minister of State's remit covers some of these countries. As often as I can, I buy fair trade produce. I know that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is keen on advocating fair trade production. We import produce from many of these countries. The more we develop trade and diplomatic contacts, including by establishing embassies, the greater will be the understanding between NGOs, parliamentarians, governments and the whole European process. I am enthusiastic about these agreements and I hope they will go through the House without any great difficulty.