Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reconsider the signing of free trade agreements with Colombia or Honduras before substantive agreement has been reached on respect for human rights. [20933/10]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the refusal of his colleagues in the European Union to consider any possibility for review or amendment of the details of the proposed EU free trade agreement with Colombia. [20932/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 49 together.

EU relations with Colombia are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 2007, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community were formally launched. Such Agreements cover all facets of relations between the EU and these countries, including political dialogue, economic cooperation and trade. However, as not all member states of the Andean Community were in a position to proceed with free trade negotiations, the decision was taken to commence negotiations on a multiparty Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and two member states of the Andean Community – Colombia and Peru - within the overall framework of the Association Agreement. The negotiations were carried out by the European Commission on the basis of a mandate from the Council. The conclusion of the negotiations was acknowledged by Heads of State and Government at the EU- Latin America and Caribbean Summit in Madrid this week.

There is no single solution for promoting peace in Colombia; the various social and economic elements underlying the conflict have to be tackled simultaneously. Our approach and that of the EU is to assist and influence the Colombian Government in a manner that results in economic and social development while progressively improving human rights standards. For this reason the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Colombia will contribute significantly to the social and economic development of Colombia, which is imperative if it is to emerge from its violent past.

I am aware of and share the deep concern that has been expressed at the manner in which trade union activists, human rights defenders and journalists have been treated in Colombia. I wish to assure the Deputy that there is no question of strengthening economic ties with Colombia at the expense of human rights. I am of the view that concluding the FTA negotiations with Colombia at this time offers the best opportunity to ensure that the concerns of EU Member States at the human rights situation in that country and, in particular, the treatment of trade union activists are fully addressed by the Colombian government.

I have previously put on record the various steps which Ireland has taken over the past year to address human rights issues directly with the Government of Colombia and together with the European Union. As a result, the Colombian authorities have been left in no doubt about the seriousness of our concerns regarding the human rights situation and the extent of the improvements needed. I can assure you that the Government will continue to closely follow the human rights situation in Colombia and take the steps we consider necessary bilaterally as well as in cooperation with our EU partners.

As the Deputy is aware, there was no support among Member States for the idea of suspending even one round of negotiations with Colombia, much less the Agreement as a whole. We therefore concentrated our efforts on working with like-minded Member States to ensure that the Agreement will result in further scrutiny of the Colombian labour market, thereby benefiting trade unionists, among others. I am very satisfied that at Ireland's insistence, the Agreement includes a clause committing both EU Member States and Colombia to the implementation of their human rights responsibilities.

EU relations with Honduras are conducted within the framework of the EU-Central America Dialogue, which was launched in 1984 and includes involves Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua, and which forms the cornerstone of EU-Central American relations.

Like Colombia, Honduras faces many challenges. Elections took place in November 2009 against the backdrop of a military coup. While the electoral process took place under abnormal circumstances, Ireland and the EU viewed the elections as a significant step forward in solving the crisis in Honduras. President Lobo took a number of encouraging steps in advance of his inauguration in January 2010, including the signature of the Accord for National Reconciliation and for the Strengthening of Democracy in Honduras and he formed a Government of National Unity. On 4 May, the Honduran Government inaugurated a Truth Commission chaired by former Guatemalan Vice President Eduardo Stein. The EU remains committed to lend its support to the re-establishment of constitutional and democratic order and to the process of national reconciliation in Honduras.

Against this backdrop, the Irish and EU approach is to assist and influence the Honduran Government in a manner that promotes economic and social development while progressively improving human rights standards. The conclusion of an Association Agreement between the EU and Central America will contribute significantly to the social and economic development of the region and will help to underpin progress in Honduras.

Summit leaders at the EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit in Madrid this week expressed their satisfaction with the conclusion of the negotiations on the Association Agreement. The Agreement includes numerous references to the importance of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It provides for political dialogue between Central America and the EU and this dialogue is designed to pave the way for new initiatives to promote and protect rights and fundamental freedoms, including those of indigenous peoples and migrants. Both sides agree to the reinforcement of democratic institutions, good governance, full applicability of the rule of law, promotion and respect for human rights. They also will give priority to the alleviation of poverty, inequality and social exclusion.

As in the case of Colombia, I can assure the Deputy that the Government will continue to closely follow the human rights situation in Honduras and other Central American states and take the steps we consider necessary bilaterally as well as in cooperation with our EU partners.