Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

90. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on trading with a country that has received international criticism over its treatment of women and minorities in view of the findings of the UN Comtrade database, which found that Ireland's exports to Saudi Arabia in 2016 amounted to over €800 million; the details of Ireland's relationship with Saudi Arabia particularly in terms of UN bodies; if Ireland played a role in the recent election of Saudi Arabia to the UN Commission on the Status of Women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25610/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland has close economic ties with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia represents a significant market for Ireland. Total bilateral trade was worth approximately €1.96 billion in 2015, with the balance, €1.6 billion, greatly in Ireland’s favour. Total trade in goods in 2016 was worth €840,729, of which exports accounted for €821 million, with medical and pharmaceutical products, and food ingredients as the principle exports. Trade in services figures for 2016 are not yet available. The economic relationship with Saudi Arabia therefore has considerable benefits for the Irish economy.

Last November, I led a trade mission to the Gulf, accompanied by a diverse range of Irish companies, some of which are seeking to enter the Gulf markets for the first time and some of which are seeking to strengthen their position in those markets. I undertook a large number of engagements in support of these companies, and I saw first-hand the interest that Irish companies have in the Saudi market.

The economic partnership that we have with Saudi Arabia does not prevent us from raising human rights issues in the appropriate channels. For example, on my November visit to the Kingdom, I had a meeting with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nizar Madani. We had a discussion around human rights, including the position of women in society and the use of the death penalty. The Irish Embassy in Riyadh raises human rights issues directly with the Saudi authorities including, most recently, issues around religious freedom and the death penalty. We also raise human rights matters in conjunction with other EU missions in Saudi Arabia. Further, officials from my Department here in Dublin raise specific human rights cases with the Saudi Embassy in Dublin when the need arises.

Regarding the parts of the Deputy’s question on the UN, the UN is a forum for dialogue and partnership, for all 193 of its Member States. At the core of Ireland’s approach to the UN is our belief in shared responsibility, and that the values of our foreign policy – peace and security, justice, equality and sustainability – must remain at the centre of the work of the UN.

Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN and his staff interact with all member states on a wide range of issues, including our national priorities across the three pillars of the UN’s work, namely, peace and security, development, and human rights. We recognise that no State by itself can resolve the vast challenges the world faces. We therefore see great merit in an inclusive UN, where all member states have a voice and an opportunity to contribute to its work.

Since 1947, the rules of procedure governing General Assembly elections provide that UN elections take place by secret ballot. The well-established convention among the 193 Member States of the UN is that votes are not publicly disclosed, as to do so could seriously damage the management and conduct of sensitive international relations between States of very different views and political backgrounds. It would also likely seriously disadvantage smaller States. Accordingly, I do not propose to abandon a practice that has been in place for over six decades and observed by all previous governments. To do so would be harmful to Ireland’s capacity to engage at the UN, and harmful to our capacity to conduct sensitive international relations.

It should be noted that in the election to the Commission on the Status of Women, the Asia-Pacific Group put forward five States for five seats on the 45-member Commission, which produces non-binding conclusions on an annual basis.

Ireland has a very strong record on promoting the rights of women and girls at the UN. We are a leading voice in this field and we currently chair the Commission for the Status of Women.

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.