John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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669. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government plans to begin proceedings at the European Union for the suspension of the free trade agreement signed by the EU and Colombia in view of the serious and ongoing human rights violations in the context the national strike in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31580/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department, including the Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá, closely monitors the human rights situation in Colombia and has been active, in co-ordination with our EU partners, in responding to human rights concerns that have arisen in the context of the ongoing national strike. It is our hope that progress can be made in the period ahead on negotiations on a national dialogue.

The human rights situation in Colombia is closely linked to the implementation of the peace agreement and Ireland supports the Colombian Government’s full implementation of these accords. Between 2016 and 2021, Ireland provided more than €13 million in funding to Colombia in areas such as human rights, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. We also continue to deepen our lesson-sharing programme based on the experience in Northern Ireland.

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There is no consideration at EU level of any suspension of the EU-Colombia trade agreement. Matters relating to trade agreements are the responsibility of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.