Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify Ireland's position on the blockade of Cuba. [15953/06]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the blockade on Cuba to all international meetings; and if he will work on building bridges between Cuba and Ireland. [15955/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 269 together.

The Government, in common with our partners in the European Union, believes that the US economic embargo on Cuba seriously hampers the economic development of Cuba and negatively affects its entire people. EU companies account for at least half of all Cuba's foreign trade, and the EU rejects unilateral measures against Cuba which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade. In the United Nations General Assembly, Ireland and our EU partners again voted on 8 November 2005 in favour of the annual Cuban-tabled resolution entitled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba". We will continue to make clear our opposition to the embargo as appropriate.

Relations between Ireland and Cuba have developed in recent years, particularly since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1999. Our Ambassador in Mexico City is accredited to Cuba. In 2001, Cuba established a resident Embassy in Dublin, which has been headed by a resident Ambassador since October 2005. Prior to that the Embassy was headed at Chargé d'Affaires level, with the Cuban Ambassador to Ireland resident in London. The Chargé d'Affaires and subsequently the Ambassador have been and continue to be extremely active in seeking to promote links between the two countries based, inter alia, on people-to-people contact and cultural activities. And of course, many Irish people have visited Cuba in recent years.

I welcome these developments and I would certainly wish to see the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Cuba develop further. Unfortunately, the ongoing large-scale violation of human rights in Cuba and the unacceptable attitude of the Cuban Government towards the resident EU Embassies in Havana are a serious impediment to the further development of relations with Cuba. Large numbers of prisoners of conscience are still in detention in Cuba and its Government continues to refuse to co-operate fully with the Personal Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The EU's policy on Cuba is as set out in the Common Position agreed on 2 December 1996, during the then Irish Presidency. The General Affairs and External Relations Council reaffirmed the validity of the 1996 Common Position on Cuba on 13 June 2005. The Council's Conclusions on Cuba, which were also adopted on 13 June 2005, reiterated that constructive engagement remains the basis of the EU's policy with the ultimate aim being to encourage a process of transition to pluralist democracy in Cuba.

The above remains the position of the Government and of our EU partners. I would also again urge the Cuban Government to release prisoners of conscience and to respect internationally acknowledged principles and practices in relation to EU missions in Havana so that dialogue can be resumed. I have no doubt but that such steps by the Cuban Government would impact positively on the next evaluation of the EU Common Position on Cuba.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the Miami Five case with the US authorities; and if he will highlight their plight at all United Nation and European Union meetings. [15954/06]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will send out a briefing document on the Miami Five case to all Irish Embassies around the world; and if this miscarriage of justice will be ended. [15942/06]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason persons (details supplied) are being denied the right to visit their spouses; if he will raise this unnecessary punitive measure with the US authorities and the United Nations; if he will demand the humane treatment of prisoners and the US's obligation to protect family life. [15943/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 274 and 275 together.

The case to which the Deputy refers relates to five Cuban citizens who were convicted in the US in 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder. A panel of three judges from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta overturned the 2001 convictions on 9th August 2005 and ordered a retrial based on new evidence. The Miami District Attorney duly filed an appeal against the decision of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal was heard on 14 February 2006 and the decision is expected shortly.

As I have previously informed the House on a number of occasions, the Government has no standing in this matter, which is a bilateral consular question between the US and the Cuban authorities and, consequently, I do not intend to raise this matter with the US Government. Visa applications from members of the families of the accused in order to visit the accused are also a matter for the US authorities, and it would not be appropriate for me to raise the matter with those authorities.