Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position Ireland took in the recent EU decision not to fully lift the EU's sanctions against Cuba; the steps he will take to ensure the lifting of remaining sanctions against Cuba remain on the EU Council of Minister's agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25386/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The European Union's 1996 Common Position on Cuba, adopted under the Irish Presidency in 1996, remains the basis of both the European Union's and Ireland's approach to relations with that country. The aims of the EU Common Position include encouraging a process of peaceful transition towards a pluralist democracy, promoting human rights and improving the living conditions of the Cuban people.

In the Conclusions on Cuba adopted unanimously on 23 June 2008, the EU, noting the changes undertaken to date by the Cuban Government, re-iterated the Union's desire for a constructive dialogue with the Cuban authorities. Contrary to what is suggested by the Deputy, the Council further decided formally to lift the EU diplomatic measures, which had been suspended since 2005, in order to encourage and facilitate the political dialogue process and enable the full use of the instruments of the 1996 Common Position. Ireland was strongly supportive of this decision.

The Conclusions also re-stated the Union's human rights concerns, and urged the Cuban authorities to release all remaining political prisoners unconditionally and to facilitate access by international humanitarian organisations to Cuban prisons.

On the occasion of the annual review of the Common Position in June of next year, the Council will evaluate its relations with Cuba, including the effectiveness of the political dialogue process.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress in view of the fact that Ireland hosted the recent international conference calling for the banning of cluster munitions at the end of which a text to that effect was agreed that has been made in ratifying and enacting the treaty arising from the conference in advance of the second conference on this subject which is to take place later in 2008. [25507/08]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made with regard to the position adopted by the Government at the recent international conference on cluster munitions that there would be disinvestment from companies involved in the production of such munitions; the steps that have been undertaken in this regard; and the companies no longer invested in by State agencies. [25508/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together.

The Programme for Government of June 2007 committed us to campaign for a complete ban on the use of cluster munitions and to seek agreement on an immediate freeze on their use pending the establishment of effective international instruments to address humanitarian concerns. In implementation of this commitment, Ireland hosted and chaired a Diplomatic Conference in Croke Park last month to negotiate a treaty to prohibit the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. On 30 May, over 100 States adopted a Convention on Cluster Munitions, which effectively bans all cluster munitions which have ever been used and provides ground-breaking provisions for victim assistance and clearance of contaminated areas. It represents a major advance in international humanitarian law.

The Convention will be opened for signature in Oslo on 3 December 2008 and will enter into force six months after the thirtieth State has ratified it. The Government is committed to early legislation to give domestic effect to the Convention and the new Inter-Departmental Committee on International Humanitarian Law has begun consideration of national implementation. I intend to introduce a Bill in the autumn and aim to take this forward rapidly so that Ireland will be in a position to sign and ratify the Convention in December.

As regards State investment, the Minister for Finance raised the issue of investing in shares of companies which are involved in the manufacture of cluster munitions with the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission earlier this year. The Commission agreed to exclude companies involved in the manufacture of cluster munitions from the Fund. I understand that the Commission has now implemented this decision.