Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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715. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request the United States of America to cease funding illegal policies against Cuba and that Cuba should be compensated for damages caused by the blockade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46634/15]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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716. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the return of the illegal occupied territory of Guantanamo Bay to the people of Cuba; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46635/15]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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717. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will actively support the ending of the blockade of Cuba; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46636/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 715 to 717, inclusive, together.

On 27 October 2015, Ireland and the other Member States of the European Union voted in favour of Cuba’s resolution at the UN General Assembly in New York calling for the ending of the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba.

Our view is that following the welcome restoration of US-Cuba diplomatic relations last year the embargo serves no constructive purpose. Ireland, along with the other Member States of the EU, believes that lifting the embargo, along with the full implementation of the package of economic and social reforms adopted by the Cuban parliament in 2011, would facilitate an opening of the Cuban economy to the benefit of the Cuban people.

Our concerns about economic measures against Cuba, which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade, are long-standing and clear. We do not support unilaterally-imposed measures that impede the economic and commercial relations of EU Member States with Cuba.

The historic developments of the past year have seen considerable progress in relations between the United States and Cuba. We look forward to the ending of the US embargo and the removal of all remaining obstructions to trade and communication with Cuba. We welcome the commencement of bilateral discussions between the US and Cuba in Havana on 8 December, 2015 on the subject of compensation.

Together with our EU partners, Ireland also continues to encourage the US to bring about the closure of the detention centre at Guantánamo Bay. The question of jurisdiction and control over Guantánamo is a matter for the US and Cuban authorities.