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

Ar dtús, cuirim fíorfáilte go dtí an Dáil agus an coiste seo roimh na finnéithe. Mr. González Llort is very welcome. I also welcome the newly appointed ambassador, Mr. Hugo René Ramos Milanés. I acknowledge the role of the previous ambassador, Mr. Hermes Herrera Hernández, his relationship with the committee and the work he did in building relations between Ireland and Cuba.

Ireland and Cuba have a great deal in common. Ireland was colonised but it took us longer - 800 years - to get rid of our colonial power. Cuba was quicker in that regard. We are still both in the shadow of our big neighbours. Cuba has the United State and we have Britain. Brexit is coming. I have just returned from Cuba and I met Mr. González Llort in Havana. I acknowledge the work ICAP does when people visit. Anybody who has been there has to acknowledge the health system and the education system. One thing in education that is so impressive is the literacy campaign that took place just after the revolution. Today, Ireland, as a developed country, still has literacy issues. Cuba has done much on that issue.

I have a number of questions. The blockade is the biggest challenge at the moment. I feel the EU could play a stronger role. What does Mr. González Llort think about the agreement that has been signed? We know the fines that certain banks faced in the United States if there was engagement with Cuba. That is the first question.

The second question relates to the fact that when one is in Cuba, one can see the benefits of private enterprise. Will that be a challenge for those who work in the public sector, such as the great doctors and teachers Cuba has? How can that dilemma be addressed? One cannot talk about that without talking about Guantanamo Bay, which is one of the biggest human rights abuses in the world. That the United State has been allowed to continue its presence in Guantanamo Bay is amazing, to put it mildly.

My final question is on food. The briefing note we got referred to the extent of the importation of food and yet Cuba is a very fertile country. There are parts of Cuba that are greener than Ireland. How is that issue being addressed?