Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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199. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a diplomatic matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1963/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the matter referred to by the Deputy. I have raised my concerns in relation to this matter with the diplomat concerned and his authorities and I hope that it will be possible to achieve a satisfactory resolution in these cases.

While I am not in a position to comment further on the matter in question, I would like to reiterate my strong commitment to the protection of domestic workers in Ireland. My position on the rights of private domestic workers employed by diplomatic staff is clear: diplomatic staff who wish to employ private domestic workers are expected to respect Irish laws, including labour law and apply good employment practice. I have been proactive in the promotion of best employment practices. Last September, I introduced guidelines in relation to the employment of private domestic employees by diplomats in Ireland and I am committed to monitoring their implementation. These guidelines, which set out clearly expectations regarding payment, employment records, health insurance and social security, can be accessed on my Department’s website.

I know that the majority of diplomatic staff already follow good practices in respect of employment practices, but I believe that the guidelines that I have introduced, combined with strong implementation, will help to prevent possible exploitation of domestic workers in diplomatic households and to assist victims. The Department works closely with other Government Departments, State Agencies, An Garda Síochána and Migrant Rights Centre Ireland in relation to the implementation of the guidelines.

The Department also continues to work closely with the authorities of the country of the diplomat concerned in the promotion of strong bilateral relations across a wide range of areas.