Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason he did not meet opposition figures during his official visit to Cuba in February 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21870/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I visited Cuba from 17 -19 February 2009 on what was the first working visit by an Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs. Cuba is undergoing a major transformation, and its relations with the EU have entered a new phase. I availed of this new context to discuss a wide range of political, economic and social issues, including human rights.

I held consultations with the then Foreign Minister, Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque. Our discussions focused on the ways and means to develop bilateral relations between Ireland and Cuba, as well as on EU-Cuba relations.

During my visit to Cuba, I also met with the Cuban Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Co-operation to discuss possible sectors for economic cooperation. In this connection, I visited the world-renowned Genetic Engineering and Biotech Institute.

Human rights issues formed a substantial part of the agenda in my consultations with the Foreign Minister. As the purpose of my visit to Cuba was to open up contact with the Cuban authorities, I did not meet with representatives of opposition figures. I hope and expect that Irish and EU relations.