Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the murders of Manuel Ruiz and his son in Colombia, if he will call on the Colombian Government to take immediate and effective measures against attacks on persons defending land restitution in the Curvarado and Jiguamiando region; if he will call on the Colombian Government to immediately initiate an investigation into the murders of Manuel Ruiz and Samir de Jesus Ruiz; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19058/12]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will call on the Colombian Government to immediately instate measures to guarantee protection of Manuel Ruiz's family currently displaced from their land; if he will call on the Colombian Government to put in place measures to avoid future forced displacements in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.

I would expect the Colombian government, no less than any responsible government, to fully investigate the abduction and apparent murder two of its citizens, in this case Manuel Ruiz and his 15 year old son, Samir de Jesus Ruiz. I would also expect the Colombian authorities to seek to protect the remaining members of Mr. Ruiz's family and, indeed, any citizen who may be vulnerable to attack in relation to the issue of land restitution.

On a wider level, I continue to believe that dialogue with the government of Colombia, bilaterally and with our EU partners, offers the best way to further the objectives of supporting democracy and improving the human rights situation there.

I am aware of and share the concerns which have been expressed over human rights in Colombia, in particular the vulnerable position of trade unionists and human rights activists, as well as the very large number of Colombian people who were displaced over the course of decades of conflict and terrorism. I underlined these concerns when I met the vice-president of Colombia when he visited Ireland on 24 January.

The Victims' Rights and Land Restitution legislation (2011), which builds on the Justice and Peace Laws (2005) constitutes a crucial step in the efforts to push forward the peace process, and will, if fully implemented, provide reparation for more than four million victims of the long-standing armed conflict in the country.

Together with our partners in the European Union, Ireland will continue to support the efforts of the Colombian government. The Government will continue to liaise with the Colombian authorities through our embassy, based in Mexico City.