Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations at international level regarding the replacement of the UN Special Representative for Human Rights in the OPT, Professor John Dugard, whose mandate ends in 2008, or if he will to do so at any stage. [25922/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories was established by the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1993. Professor John Dugard is the fourth person to hold the mandate. He was appointed by the Commission on Human Rights in 2001.

The Human Rights Council, which succeeded the Commission on Human Rights in 2006 is now reviewing the work of its mandate-holders. Professor Dugard's term, which ended in June 2007, was extended until 2008 to facilitate this review. No decision has been taken by Ireland or our EU partners on this matter pending completion of the review.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by Palestinian artists and musicians to participate in the Eurovision song contest; and if he has made representations through the International Telecommunications Union or the European Broadcasting Union, or if he will to do so at a future stage. [25923/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have no objection on foreign policy grounds to Palestinian participation in any international event, and would in fact see considerable merit in such involvement. However, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have no role in relation to the Eurovision Song Contest, which is organised by the European Broadcasting Union.