Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Let me give the example of the partnership co-operation agreement with the Philippines with which we have some human rights concerns. There is a sub-committee on human rights there that we can deal with. There is also a joint committee, although it is not identical to the UK-EU joint committee, but there is a similar arrangement there between both sides where all of these issues can be discussed. There is a formal process within which both sides can discuss these issues. I know that it does not influence the laws of Singapore as such but it gives us a direct platform so we can sit around the table and discuss these issues with Singapore.

The question that we have is: does we simply ignore these issues or try through trade agreements to improve the situation? Trade agreements have a benefit in terms of employment and have a practical influence on the ground. However, if we stopped trading with every country that we have human rights concerns about, trade would reduce dramatically. The EU tries to apply its values-based trade approach to the global world. We must try spread our influence in terms of the values that we hold dear, such as democracy, human rights, etc. through trade and, in many cases, that can be tied into agreements. In this case, we feel that our influence will be stronger because of this agreement. It does not give us a direct role in how Singapore produces its laws or whatever but the agreement gives us a direct voice into Singapore through trade. There are some other agreements.