Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 5: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the international campaign to lift the blockade of Cuba as imposed by the United States of America [14109/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland's position on the United States trade embargo of Cuba is long standing and well known. Ireland and other EU member states support an annual draft resolution at the UN General Assembly introduced by Cuba rejecting the extra-territoriall effects of the US embargo.

We and our EU partners are not persuaded that the continued US embargo on Cuba is contributing in a positive way to the democratic transition in Cuba; this position has been expressed on many occasions in contacts with the United States. I am aware that opinions in the US on this issue are divided. Cuba remains an important domestic political issue in the United States, involving the views of many displaced Cubans who have taken refuge there. However, this is an issue which will have to be worked out within the United States itself, and not on this side of the Atlantic.

With the release this year of all 75 political prisoners incarcerated in 2003, the possibility for a new phase in Europe's relationship with Cuba has been opened up. EU-Cuba co-operation in a number of fields such as food security, climate change and the environment have been resumed, a political dialogue with an emphasis on human rights has been instituted, and we are currently examining how the EU might deepen the bilateral relationship further. The outcome of the recent congress of the Cuban Communist Party suggests that considerable reforms are being considered within Cuba, which will open up possibilities for further co-operation between Europe and Cuba.

Independent of any development in the relationship between the United States and Cuba, the European Union and Ireland will continue to bilaterally develop our own contacts with Cuba in accordance with our own criteria, with a particular emphasis on social and economic development and human rights.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his indulgence. Unfortunately, Deputy Finian McGrath's mother passed away last night and he is unable to take this question today. I extend my condolences to him and his family.

I thank the Tánaiste for his response and for restating this country's support of the annual resolution at the UN on the embargo on Cuba. Perhaps the Tánaiste could go further.

It is interesting to note that the EU has taken a great interest in how the Cubans are dealing with human rights issues within Cuba but there seems to be a great reluctance to look at how the United States of America is dealing with the human rights of the Cuban people by continuing to enforce the embargo which is having a considerable impact on the Cuban economy and the health and wealth of the Cuban people. Given that George Shultz, the former US Secretary of State, said in June 2009 that the embargo had been a failure by every measure, would the Tánaiste use the close contacts that are available and have been highlighted this week through WikiLeaks and the American Embassy to convey the views of the Government that the Americans should finally lift the embargo once and for all and use those back channels through which the Americans get much information about the State?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I join Deputy Pringle in expressing my sympathy to Deputy Finian McGrath. I had not known of his bereavement. I am sorry to hear of it.

Deputy Pringle asked about the European Union position on Cuba. The common position was adopted in 1996 in the context of the EU's commitment to a democratic transition in Cuba. It provided a framework for co-operation with Cuba on a range of social, economic and human rights issues. Progress on achieving the goals set out in the Common Position are examined regularly by the EU General Affairs Council.

With regard to our own intentions on bilateral co-operation with Cuba, there have been a number of discussions with Cuban officials with a view to concluding a bilateral co-operation agreement which would bring together Irish and Cuban interlocutors to develop economic, cultural, scientific and other ties. There are a number of promising areas of co-operation including in the biotechnology field which could be facilitated by a bilateral agreement. There are also strong tourism and cultural ties reflected in the recently held Irish cultural week and the CeltFest music festival which has been held two years in a row to considerable local acclaim.

In the coming weeks, political consultations will be held with Cuba in Dublin with a view to advancing our dialogue and to examining future co-operation. Our position on the United States trade embargo is well known. It is a matter that has been communicated directly to the United States and does not need to be mediated through WikiLeaks or anywhere else.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I join in the expressions of sympathy to Deputy Finian McGrath. His late mother often reminded me that she was the midwife where I was born at the Grove Hospital in Tuam. She was a lovely woman.