Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Holocaust involved the total denial of all human rights and the murder of millions of people. The European Union first came into existence in order to ensure that such an event involving so-called civilised nations would never happen again. There is a strong argument to the effect that measures that will guarantee that prosperity and peace will be achieved on the basis of human rights should be put forward. That is the basis on which the European Union was established. It is important, therefore, that the Union should reach out to other countries in this regard. From that point of view, I will be voting for the motion.

Ireland has a very proud human rights record. Mary Robinson previously served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ireland is currently a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva. We won election to the council in the face of very strong opposition from across the globe and on the basis of our track record on human rights. We must be seen to uphold our proud tradition in this regard. I am particularly happy that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has launched a consultation on human rights and business. This is particularly relevant to the motion currently under discussion and the agreement to which it relates. When I served as a Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I was always concerned with regard to how we might manage to ensure, in the context of our trade, marketing and business relationships with our partner countries, that our commitment to human rights might be maintained. I am delighted that we will at last have a formal response in this regard in the context of the consultation process taking place at present.

The Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation made some very strong criticisms of the state of Colombia, and some members voiced deep concerns regarding Ireland's signing up to the agreement. If we assent to the motion before us, it will bring to 20 the number of member states of the European Union which have signed up to the agreement. This will mean that it will be well on the way to attracting unanimous support. I would like to establish whether, while indicating our assent, we might also make a stand. It is better to have people inside rather than outside the tent, particularly in the context of exerting influence over them. It is important that we bring to the attention of the European institutions the nature of the debate in this House and that which took place at the meeting of the joint committee. I would like the Minister to send details of both debates not just to the European Council - which is required by law in the context of ratification - but also to the Parliament and the Commission. Will he indicate whether he will take this course of action?

In light of the nature of this debate, the House should mark the anniversary of the ratification of the agreement - if such ratification comes to pass today - by holding a debate each year. That debate should take place at the joint committee, which could meet the stakeholders, officials from the Latin American and Caribbean unit and representatives of the trade union movement to discuss Latin America and Colombia in particular. The joint committee could bring forward a report each year and this could be laid before the House in order that Members might debate it. Such reports could be produced until we are satisfied that the monitoring mechanisms and the systems relating to the citizenry are sufficiently strong to reflect the intentions outlined in the agreements before us. I ask the Minister to accept my suggestion in this regard in order that we will not just leave matters as they stand, forget about the matter and be left to wring our hands at some point in the future.

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