Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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128. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the highlighting by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the lack of respect by Spain for international bodies with regard to the situation in Catalonia; the steps Ireland can take to impress on the Spanish authorities the need to respect international law in relation to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26077/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department follows developments in Spain closely and I am aware of the United Nations Working Group to which the question refers.

I maintain contacts with my Spanish counterparts on a range of issues, including the situation in Catalonia. The question of Catalan independence remains a deeply divisive and contentious issue in Catalonia and in the rest of Spain.

As I have previously stated, the constitutional and political arrangements in Spain are matters to be determined by their own citizens, through their own democratic processes and institutions, in keeping with the rule of law. We respect the constitutional and territorial integrity of Spain.