Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I join Deputy Pringle in expressing my sympathy to Deputy Finian McGrath. I had not known of his bereavement. I am sorry to hear of it.

Deputy Pringle asked about the European Union position on Cuba. The common position was adopted in 1996 in the context of the EU's commitment to a democratic transition in Cuba. It provided a framework for co-operation with Cuba on a range of social, economic and human rights issues. Progress on achieving the goals set out in the Common Position are examined regularly by the EU General Affairs Council.

With regard to our own intentions on bilateral co-operation with Cuba, there have been a number of discussions with Cuban officials with a view to concluding a bilateral co-operation agreement which would bring together Irish and Cuban interlocutors to develop economic, cultural, scientific and other ties. There are a number of promising areas of co-operation including in the biotechnology field which could be facilitated by a bilateral agreement. There are also strong tourism and cultural ties reflected in the recently held Irish cultural week and the CeltFest music festival which has been held two years in a row to considerable local acclaim.

In the coming weeks, political consultations will be held with Cuba in Dublin with a view to advancing our dialogue and to examining future co-operation. Our position on the United States trade embargo is well known. It is a matter that has been communicated directly to the United States and does not need to be mediated through WikiLeaks or anywhere else.

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