Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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489. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that 151 persons were executed in Saudi Arabia in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40289/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and its EU partners oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, and work for its suspension and abolition around the world. Abolition of the death penalty has been one of Ireland’s priorities at the United Nations. I have noted with concern the increased use of the death penalty in a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia. In conjunction with our EU partners, our concerns regarding the use of the death penalty, both in general and in relation to specific cases, have been conveyed to the Saudi authorities both at Ministerial level and through diplomatic channels. We can have the greatest impact on matters of foreign policy, including human rights, when the 28 EU Member States speak with one voice, as on this issue. On 8 July 2015, HRVP Mogherini stated publicly that the EU will continue to closely follow the issue of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia in general, and to voice its concerns to the Saudi authorities.

We will continue to call for the abolition of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia and in all other countries where it continues to be used, in conjunction with our EU partners and at the UN.