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

There will be disappointment in some countries they will not get an embassy or consulate. It is a few years since we made an official visit to Iran during the previous Dáil. We met the foreign Minister and various other officials there, and we know how keen they were to have an embassy. I also wonder about countries that have an embassy here but we do not have a presence in their countries, such as Cuba, for example, although I know we cannot be everywhere.

From our visits, we know other countries want to do business with us because they trust and respect us, but there is a huge challenge, particularly in two of the places the Minister mentioned, namely, Colombia and Mumbai. I am surprised he spoke about Colombia and stability. We meet quite a number of groups, formally and informally. We have met civil society groups from Colombia and some dreadful things are happening in their local communities with farmers. Multinational companies are coming in and there are land grabs. There is a lack of respect for indigenous peoples and their way of life. It will be challenging for Ireland. We do not want to lose the respect and high esteem in which we are held. The Department has produced a human rights and business plan. We speak about trade missions, and I hope we can be a leader when it comes to decent work and workers' rights. We know about the type of work that goes on in some of those countries, and it will be hugely challenging for us to maintain the good standing we have.