Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I shall ask some questions and the Minister of State can then answer all of the questions together.

I note that the agreement has been provisional for a couple of years and that there has been dialogue annually on human rights. I also notice the various things the European Union has called on the Kazakh Government to do in dealing with human rights issues, including the media not having freedom of expression. The European Union did call for a substantial review of the dialogue on human rights in Kazakhstan. I also know that the Kazakh Government has created a civil society consultative platform. It appears from what is contained in the document that it is not doing as much as the European Union has called on it to do. To follow on from what Deputy Ó Snodaigh asked, has the Minister of State seen any sign of progress?

When one analyses the trade figures, the agreement seems to be more beneficial to Ireland than Kazakhstan. Do the Irish companies that operate in Kazakhstan provide proper conditions for their workers?

Other EU countries have not ratified the agreement. Have they conveyed the reasons they have not done so? Do they have the same issues with the agreement as Ireland?