Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We need to consider the experience even in our own country. When we became more open to trade and integration in Europe we dramatically changed human rights in Ireland. The record is there. We saw change come here as a result of much of the integration and trade that occurred between Ireland and the EU. That is the objective. We do not ignore Saudi Arabia, which will be a member of the UN Human Rights Council. In October Ireland made two recommendations during Saudi Arabia's examination under the Council's universal periodic review mechanism. Ireland is not inactive over human rights in countries with which we trade. However, there are two separate tracks and we need to pursue the human rights through the appropriate mechanism. Increasing trade and integration will, over time, drive those changes because if a free-trade agreement is negotiated, as has been done in some Gulf countries, it imposes conditions. That is a sound and tested route to bring change as well as developing mutual opportunity.

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