Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade

Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised)

5:45 pm

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I thank the Chairman. Our Presidency showed other countries how to do it and how to do it in a cost-effective and economical way. My question is on trade. We have an opportunity to combine trade with human rights advocacy by insisting that labour rights be part of any trade agreements in which we are involved. As we have a position on the United Nations Human Rights Council we can use that in terms of labour rights, because we know the appalling conditions in mines and factories. The Bangladesh incident was just one of many and we know such things are happening all over. What is our stance on this issue and can we be very proactive when it comes to trade agreements?