Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the plight of the rights of the Lubicon Lake Cree Indians with the Canadian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24312/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has raised this issue with the Canadian Government. I understand that negotiations between the Canadian Government and the Lubicon Lake Cree Indians have not yet resulted in a satisfactory outcome and that the Canadian Government will be appearing before the United Nations Human Rights Committee in November 2005 in order to comment on the situation.

As we have indicated to the Canadian Government, Ireland is committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of indigenous peoples. We voice our concerns in partnership with other like-minded countries in international fora. At the 61st session of the Commission on Human Rights in April 2005, at which Ireland actively participated, a resolution on human rights and indigenous issues was adopted by consensus.