Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations he has made to the Saudi Arabian embassy in Dublin regarding that state's restriction of religious freedoms, in particular the application of the death penalty for those found guilty of apostasy or conversion to Christianity; if he thinks it is appropriate for Ireland to have trade links with such states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19084/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, and strongly condemns its use in all instances, including for those accused of apostasy or conversion to another religion. Ireland promotes fundamental human rights, including freedom of religion, and strives to promote this principled position in all of its bilateral relations, including with Saudi Arabia.

The abolition of the death penalty is one of Ireland’s priorities at the United Nations, and one that we pursued while a member of the UN Human Rights Council. More recently, Ireland stated its concern at Saudi Arabia’s use of the death penalty on minors in its Item 4 Statement (Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention) at the Human Rights Council on 22 June.

My Department regularly conveys Ireland’s stance on the death penalty to all countries where the death penalty is still in use. This includes Saudi Arabia, where our principled opposition to this practice is conveyed at every suitable opportunity, both to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia here in Dublin, and through our Embassy in Riyadh.

This and other human rights issues, including freedom of religion, are also raised with the Saudi authorities in conjunction with our EU partners. In this way, the impact of our representations is maximised, having the backing of all Member States behind it. Freedom of religion was raised by the EU in the context of the 2013 UN Human Rights Universal Periodic Review of Saudi Arabia. In January of this year, High Representative Mogherini reiterated the EU’s strong opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, in the context of executions that had taken place in Saudi Arabia.

Ireland does have close economic ties with Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is a designated priority market for Ireland under the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. We have a strong, and growing, trade relationship with Saudi Arabia, as we do with some of its neighbours. Saudi Arabia represents a significant market for Ireland: total bilateral trade in 2014 was worth over €1.4 billion, with €1.3 billion of this in Ireland’s favour. The economic relationship therefore has considerable benefits for the Irish economy.

The economic partnership that we have with Saudi Arabia, however, does not prevent us from raising human rights issues in the appropriate channels. We will continue to maintain relations with Saudi Arabia: economic, for the benefit of our economy and trade; and diplomatic, to facilitate our continued engagement with the Kingdom on human rights and also on other matters as they arise.