Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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95. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 6 October 2022, if he will report on his Department's role in supporting the dialogue between the Misak community in Colombia and a company (details supplied) over land use in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57646/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to closely engage with the company and communities in Colombia referred to in the Deputy’s question. We will continue to engage with all parties to gain a deeper understanding of this highly complex situation and to support inclusive dialogue to resolve the issues at play.

As previously outlined, officials from the Embassy of Ireland to Colombia visited the region and met with stakeholders in September 2022, and since this time the Embassy has continued its efforts to support the facilitation of a dialogue process amongst all the parties.

We continue to encourage all parties to engage constructively in this dialogue process, and will maintain communication with all sides. We hope that this will result in a long-term and inclusive solution that respects the rights of all concerned. 

Ireland fully supports the efforts of the Colombian Government to implement land reforms in order to improve issues equality of land access in Colombia. We have communicated this support to the new administration of President Petro and will continue our on-the-ground engagement on these issues, including through the EU Delegation in Bogota.