Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No, I am speaking about a number of countries in the Middle East and north Africa which are drawing up new constitutions. Alarm bells are ringing about the regressive way certain African countries are with regard to women and people who are gay.

Much attention is on Africa and we know the extent of its natural resources and mineral wealth. Those who are genuinely concerned for these countries want the benefits of these to go to the African countries and leave them. Numerous multinationals from Europe and the United States have a presence in Africa and concerns have been raised about tax justice and fairness and country by country auditing so the multinationals pay their fair share of taxes and the benefit does not all leave the country of origin. To me it is a basic human right that people benefit from the wealth in their own country.

In this regard, does Mr. Lambrinidis have any direct involvement on the European end with the European companies and countries involved in the extractive industries in Africa?