Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer to a report commissioned by Trócaire, Where Aid Meets Trade, which I helped to launch last week. The report is both informative and challenging. It is the first time private sector policy and development policies have been examined.

As the Minister stated in his answer, Irish Aid comes off remarkably well because the aid is 100% untied and 100% focused on poverty reduction. We know that African, Latin American and Asian countries are keen to do business with Ireland and, such is our reputation, they expect an ethical engagement. In the One World, One Future document there is a commitment to ensuring that economic development, including engagement by Irish companies, is compatible with our commitment to human rights. However, there has been a rather poor track record to date. We know of companies that have been involved in land grabs and displacement. Certain employees of Irish companies are incentivised, via the foreign earnings deduction, to work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, yet there is no accompanying provision for human rights due diligence. What is happening in Qatar is frightening, and Irish companies are working there. We do not see respect for human rights or the rights of workers there. I am asking that we ensure Irish companies operating in this countries engage with our embassies - they are now part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - to ensure human rights due diligence from those companies.

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