Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I do not accept that human rights are residual. The Deputy's point is well made. I, too, have made the point that the agreement represents an opportunity to up-front the human rights dimension and to get greater delivery. The agreement includes a number of binding commitments to implement core labour environmental conventions. It also foresees a mechanism for the monitoring of the implementation of labour laws, which includes civil society institutions. I believe this represents a significant new step.

We believe that with this addition, the agreement will contribute to the improvement of the situation of human rights in Colombia and, in particular, to labour rights. Obviously, this will require vigilant monitoring of the situation. Ireland has been to the fore at the EU in insisting on this clause because of the concerns raised domestically by members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs here.

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