Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's answer was very comprehensive. We discussed this matter earlier. I was interested in hearing about the connection we have with various countries on this matter. It appeared at the time in question Ireland was acting unilaterally. The Minister stated there was constant toing and froing by officials. They did seem to adopt a different approach. It has certainly worked in respect of Ireland and we have got the response we wanted.

Yesterday, the anti-homosexuality Bill currently before the Ugandan Parliament was referred to. This is linked to the issue of funding. In this regard, the Minister's comments at the meeting yesterday are pertinent. We are all anxious to promote human rights and are concerned about the impact of the anti-homosexuality legislation in Uganda, where it is threatened that homosexuals will be jailed for life. Are we going to link the possible resumption of funding with developments regarding the legislation?

Many of the officials from Irish Aid believed just one person seemed to be pushing the legislation. The Minister stated yesterday he raised the matter very strongly and that he was in Uganda last year. Will he raise concerns about the Bill again? Does the Irish Government have any plans to open discussions, to hold workshops or to have interaction with communities on gay rights and LGBT issues in Uganda? Does the Minister envisage a role for Irish Aid in discussions in this regard? If the legislation is passed in Uganda, what action will the Irish Government take? The proposed legislation is a worrying development and a negative step. What it represents is certainly a million miles from where we are coming as a society. What is going to happen is unacceptable and will have implications for our involvement in Uganda.

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