Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I asked whether there was an example of an EU framework or association agreement with a third country that led to substantial improvement in human rights. Does the Minister have an example? I do not have one. It is not a trick question. I am concerned by the idea that this is put in the agreements as sop to show we are trying to move towards better conditions in the country.

I have listened to the Minister of State's explanation. The framework was negotiated back in 2012. It did not come to the European Parliament until June 2016. The Minister of State said there were all sorts of difficulties. I do not know what preparation was done for this. There is nothing wrong with being the last man standing. It is an honourable position. It is probably the correct position to be in particularly in light of the fact that one of our citizens is facing serious charges. I am not saying it should be used to send a signal but it does send a signal that we are concerned about what is happening in that country. The agreement is also about sharing information on crime and drugs. There was such an agreement between the EU and Iran on the pipeline for heroin that comes through Afghanistan to Europe. We cut off that co-operation because Iran has the death penalty. We could not be convinced about the way the information that was shared would be used so the agreement fell through. Some of us say it is a key component in seriously fighting drugs. We could say the same about sharing crime and security information with the Government of the Philippines, which is involved in the extra-judicial killing of up to 7,000 of its own citizens. Its President is on record boasting about his involvement in it. I have huge difficulties with it. Our party will not support it if we do not have an opportunity to debate it in the Dáil. If the Minister of State cannot give that commitment, that is our position. It sends out the wrong signals.

In many countries with which we had framework and partnership agreements in the past, there was huge concern it did not improve the situation or it pushed them in a different direction. Perhaps the Minister of State can enlighten me on it. The direction we are taking is all wrong. It would be good if we were the last country standing in Europe. If this went to the European Parliament today for ratification, it would not receive it because of the concerns I have outlined. They are not only concerns of the left. There are individuals in all groups in the European Parliament who have huge concern about what is happening in the Philippines.