Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

First, Ireland has played an active part in the European Union and particularly in the decision in 2010 to suspend duty free access for Sri Lankan exports under the generalised system of preferences after the Sri Lankan Government failed to deliver a written undertaking on human rights conventions dealing with torture, children's rights and political rights. Second, Ireland is active at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, most recently at the council session in September, highlighting the human rights situation in Sri Lanka as one of the most important human rights problems to be addressed by the international community. Ireland was also instrumental at EU level in including concerns about Sri Lanka in discussions with at the UN General Assembly and we support the continuing work of the UN mission in Sri Lanka and the recommendations by the UN panel of experts in their report on accountability in Sri Lanka.

In addition to that, Irish Aid is providing humanitarian funding. Almost €0.5 million in humanitarian funding has been provided to Sri Lanka since 2009.

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