Written answers

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

International Relations

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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125. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied); his views on whether this amounts to an implied threat and interference in the work of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann; if he has plans to respond to the correspondence; if so, if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of same; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10690/19]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy.

Such representations by Ministers or parliamentarians in other countries are a commonplace feature of international relations between states, governments and parliaments. The Deputy himself, and others in this House, regularly call on me, in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to make statements or take actions which other countries might similarly regard as interference in their sovereign affairs. In some instances, it is suggested that the Government use levers available to us to put pressure on other countries. The expression of such views is a normal and legitimate part of the work of the Oireachtas, and other parliaments will of course operate in the same fashion.

The Control of Economic Activities (Occupied Territories) Bill, which is the subject of this letter and which the Deputy has supported in this House, is itself intended to have an impact beyond the jurisdiction of this State. As you are aware, the Government opposes that Bill for a number of legal and political reasons.

The letter to which the Deputy refers draws attention to a possible legal conflict between existing and pending US legislation, and the Occupied Territories Bill, which the letter suggests may create a very difficult position for US firms established in Ireland. This is a very real concern and danger, which I have myself stated clearly in my own speeches in relation to this Bill, and one which should be seriously considered.

The question of how best to respond to this letter will in the first instance be a matter for the Taoiseach, in due course.

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