Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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68. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the recently released One World, One Future: Ireland’s Policy for International Development report and its commitment to promoting decent work as a human right, and in view of recent tragedies, is he concerned about the working conditions, and the fire and building safety of garment factories in Bangladesh. [23224/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On behalf of the Irish Government, I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the Government and people of Bangladesh on the tragic loss of life suffered following the collapse of a garment factory in Dhaka. I share the concern of Ireland's UN and EU partners regarding the current state of labour conditions in Bangladesh. Ireland's commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental feature of our foreign policy. Under Ireland's new policy for International Development - One World, One Future, we are committed to ensuring that economic development is compatible with human rights, including the right to decent work. Our engagement in this area will be informed by, among other international standards, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In this regard, Irish Aid currently provides assistance to International Labour Organisation's (ILO) 'Decent Work Agenda' through a partnership programme that covers the four year period 2012-2015.

In a statement issued on 30 April by High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, and Commissioner for Trade, Karl de Gucht, the EU called upon the authorities in Bangladesh to act immediately to ensure that factories across the country comply with international labour standards including International Labour Organisations (ILO) conventions. On 29 April 2013, Bangladesh underwent a 'Universal Periodic Review' of the human rights situation in the country. During this review Ireland recommended that Bangladesh ensure widespread, unannounced and rigorous factory inspections. Where breaches in Bangladesh's Labour Act (2006) occur, those responsible should be held accountable in a manner sufficient to ensure deterrence. Ireland's recommendations were accepted by Bangladesh.

I welcome recent efforts by the Government of Bangladesh to reform labour laws in response to this tragedy and urge that further reforms, as recommended in the Universal Periodic Review, are implemented without delay. Ireland, as a member of the EU, is willing to assist the authorities in Bangladesh to meet international standards and will continue to urge European and international companies operating in Bangladesh to follow internationally recognised Corporate Social Responsibility Guidelines and promote better health and safety standards.