John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Programme E has been dealt with anyway. With regard to programme B and Brexit, it is interesting to analyse the response from Britain to the attack on Ukraine by Russia. Does the Minister believe Britain might now be more inclined to reconsider its refusal to establish a common security approach with the EU? Have there been any discussions around that so far? What potential repercussions might there be for the protocol? We discussed earlier the pressures and the report about Ukraine. My colleague Senator Ó Donnghaile asked about an all-Ireland approach, given what can only be described as the appalling approach of the British Government to its responsibilities for Ukrainian refugees. What communication has taken place with Ministers in the North on that, if any? Is there a prospect of initiating a conversation about an all-Ireland or co-ordinated approach?

Programme C refers to international organisations. The €62 million is critical money and goes to some brilliant organisations, including a couple we have dealt with extensively here and human rights organisations in Palestine. The Minister has stated previously that there is no prospect of funding being pulled from the organisations we fund, that is, the two of the six organisations that have been labelled as terror entities by Israel. I would like some reassurance from the Minister that funding for those organisations is not under any threat. The Minister has asked the Israeli authorities for any evidence they may have to back up their unwarranted labelling of these organisations as terrorist entities. Has the Minister received any information on that? What conversations have taken place at EU level?

The EU has suspended funding for these organisations. I ask the Minister for an update and reassurance about that.

I welcome the approach and programme for St. Patrick's Day. It will be utilised to stand up for human rights, diplomacy and sovereignty. We will potentially shine the Ukrainian colours on landmarks throughout the world. That is the right and appropriate thing to do.

I have a question about the business and human rights approach by the Department. I know the EU is looking at this. We need to have stringent legislation in place for it. We need to look at having our own legislation, rather than just waiting for the EU to bring it forward. One area that this committee has looked at is the Cerrejón mine in Colombia and the importation of coal from that mine. Due to the situation in Ukraine and Russia, the coal that was being imported from Russia has now been halted, and rightly so. It has been suggested that we will go back to Colombia to get coal to supply our stations. Where in Colombia is that coal coming from? Is it from the Cerrejón mine, about which there are significant human rights concerns?

The expo in Dubai is taking place. There has been some focus on the expenditure and developing our stall in the expo. It costs about €9 million, in conjunction with the OPW. What kind of analysis has been done on the money being provided for an exhibition that only takes place for a number of months? Does the Minister believe that is money well spent?