Averil Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Acting Leader of the House raise with the Government the issue of whether Ireland highlighted at this week's Council of Europe meeting in Strasbourg Russia's anti-gay laws, which were introduced by its Government earlier in the year? Senator Bacik has expressed concerns about this issue publicly. I have written to the Tánaiste about it on a number of occasions. It is incumbent on the Irish Government, particularly given Ireland's track record in promoting human rights internationally, that it use its influence, including its influence gleaned from just having held the EU Presidency, to put pressure on states such as Russia.

Russia has signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights. The Council of Europe meeting this week was convened specifically to consider whether previous judgments against ECHR members are being implemented. One case on the agenda is a case against Russia. It is a judgment of some years back against the Russian Government's ban on gay pride parades. Russia is one of the few countries in Europe where gay pride parades are still not welcome in 2013. Not only has Russia not respected that judgment, it brought in more draconian laws earlier this year. These laws effectively ban any public expression of support for lesbian and gay people in Russia. People can be arrested simply for showing their support, taking part in parades, writing supportive articles or even raising publicly human rights issues concerning the treatment LGBT people. I ask Senator Bacik to use her influence on the Tánaiste to ensure we raise these issues more strongly. I understand we wrote to the Tánaiste and that he replied he was not at the ministerial meeting this week but that officials were at it on his behalf. I would like an update on what exactly happened. Did the Irish officials raise this issue? If so, what was the response? When will the Tánaiste arrange for a meeting with the Russian ambassador? He responded directly to me that he will raise this issue the next time he meets a Russian Minister. Is a date set for this? The issue is urgent, particularly in the approach to the Winter Olympic Games next year.