Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I concur with the sentiments expressed by Deputy Mac Lochlainn. North Korea is one of the most repressive regimes in the world. It denies even the most basic of human rights to its citizens. Services such as health care and education appear to be allocated according to loyalty to the regime, there is no freedom of press or religion and the judiciary is neither impartial nor independent. One also has the issue of punishment camps and the treatment of prisoners in these camps.

As Deputy Mac Lochlainn noted, there is a dilemma regarding the provision of aid. Ireland provides aid through non-governmental organisations which are working in North Korea because of the appalling food shortages in the country. At the same time, we continue, through the United Nations and bilaterally, to communicate our abhorrence at what is happening under the North Korean regime and to work for an improvement in human rights. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland will seek election to the Human Rights Council next year. This is one of the areas of human rights to which we intend to give priority.

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