Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he and the Irish Government will make clear the level of human rights due diligence they expect of Irish companies operating in Africa, particularly in Irish Aid partner countries; and if Ireland will take a leading role in ensuring that poverty reduction and human-rights-based approaches to development are central to the work of multinational financial institutions. [19377/15]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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My question is to ask the Minster if he and the Irish Government will make clear the level of human rights due diligence they expect of Irish companies operating in Africa, particularly in Irish Aid partner countries, and if Ireland will take a leading role in ensuring that poverty reduction and a human-rights-based approach to development are central to the work of multinational financial institutions.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Our aid programme is focused on some of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It is recognised internationally for its effectiveness and for its strong partnership with African Governments and communities. Recent years have seen strong economic growth in many African countries, which presents trade opportunities for Ireland and Irish companies. Many of our African partners are keen to foster opportunities for expanded trade and investment ties. As outlined in the Government’s policy for international development, One World, One Future, we will strive to ensure that economic development is compatible with Ireland’s commitment to human rights. I expect Irish companies operating abroad to have full regard for human rights, international law and the laws of the country in which they are operating.

My Department’s work in this area is guided by the United Nations guiding principles on business and human rights, which highlight the duty of states to protect against human rights abuses, the corporate responsibility to respect human rights and the need for victims to have access to an appropriate remedy. A national plan on business and human rights, which will assist companies in advancing the UN guiding principles, is currently being drafted in consultation with civil society, business and all interested parties.

Multilateral organisations play a vital role in building international agreement on development challenges. We believe that all development work, including that of the multilateral organisations in which we actively participate, should be framed explicitly in the context of sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and the promotion and protection of human rights.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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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.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased that the Deputy acknowledges the statement in our One World, One Future document. I agree with Deputy O'Sullivan that during the consultation period we should ensure we avail of the opportunity that will ultimately result in a robust regime. We are in the process of consulting with other Departments on the outline and content of our plan. An interdepartmental working group has been formed consisting of focal points from each Department.

I take the point Deputy O'Sullivan has made about the trade mandate of my Department. It is important that we have the opportunity to consult widely and that this consultation be real and meaningful. I am unsure whether Deputy O'Sullivan was present at the open forum on 7 November in Dublin Castle. That provided an opportunity for non-governmental organisations, academics, businesses and public representatives to exchange views on the plan. It is important now, in the context of the fact that we have received more than 30 submissions, that we allow an opportunity for those submissions to be taken on board - certainly, it is open to Deputy O'Sullivan to make a submission - to ensure that all possible elements are taken into consideration in the context of the relationship between Irish companies and Africa.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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There is a danger that economic growth is being seen to equate with poverty reduction and a reduction in inequality. There are some interesting statistics from Africa. For example, in Nigeria, economic growth in the past ten years has increased by 6% per year. Yet on the human development index the country is placed 152nd out of 176. Equally, Botswana has considerable economic growth but minimal poverty reduction, whereas Ghana has modest growth but significant poverty reduction levels. We cannot simply speak of economic growth without looking at how exactly it impacts on poverty reduction and inequality.

I wish to draw the Minister's attention to the G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. This is a rather concerning development, because there is the potential to do the opposite to what is intended in terms of food exports, biofuels and land grabs on a vast corporate scale. Given Ireland's reputation, we need to stand up, and the Minister and the Government must be a strong voice in this regard. I hope that in the context of the three conferences coming up, Ireland and the Minister take the opportunity to be heard.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As I mentioned, our document commits to the implementation by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Africa Strategy, which underlines the need to respond to requests from our African partners from time to time to development a more rounded relationship. This includes economic ties as well as a more intensified political relationship with our bilateral partners.

As Deputy O'Sullivan may be aware, we have a total of 11 embassies in Africa, including in Nairobi, Kenya and Freetown, Sierra Leone, both of which opened only last year. We now have embassies in the strongest economies of west, east and southern Africa, particularly Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. What we need to do now is to ensure that we can move towards the achievement of a sustainable solution to poverty.

In this regard, countries need to generate their own revenues through sustained and equitable economic policies and we will be looking towards a greater level of employment, revenue, growth, trade and investment.

I am very conscious of the points Deputy O'Sullivan makes. I would hope that, at the earliest opportunity, we will be in a position to have an acceptable plan and a form of due diligence that will ensure that best practice from a human rights point of view exists in the relationship between all Irish companies and the African nations.