Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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257. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland’s relationship with Nicaragua; if there is regular contact with officials from that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60247/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am gravely concerned at the situation in Nicaragua. The human rights violations, crackdowns on opposition voices and independent media, and backsliding on democratic norms that have been observed in Nicaragua since 2018, and which have intensified since the run up to the November 2021 elections, are unacceptable and deeply alarming.

Ireland, and the EU, continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Nicaragua, and we have, along with our EU partners, used all channels of engagement available to call on the Nicaraguan authorities to put an end to all repression and restore full respect for human rights, including by allowing the return of international human rights bodies and NGOs to Nicaragua, and to release political prisoners. We will continue to do so, including on the ground through our Embassy in Mexico, which covers Nicaragua, and through the EU Delegation in Managua.

I fully support the statement made by the EU HR/VP Josep Borrell on 2 October 2022, rejecting the unjustified and unilateral decision of the Nicaraguan authorities to expel the Head of the EU Delegation to Nicaragua, and to cut diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. These moves constitute further examples of Nicaragua’s withdrawal from the global rules-based order, and will only lead to further international isolation. The EU’s subsequent decision to declare the Nicaraguan Ambassador to the EU as persona non grata was a reciprocal and proportionate response to an unwarranted decision. The EU remains open to dialogue with Nicaragua, provided that this dialogue is conducted in a respectful manner.

At the recent 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ireland made clear once again to the Nicaraguan authorities its concern over the above-mentioned issues, highlighting in its national statement the repression of all dissenting voices, including religious leaders, and calling on the authorities to restore respect for freedom of religion or belief. The same calls were reiterated in the EU's statement on Nicaragua during the same session.

In addition, Ireland fully supports the EU sanctions in place on various individuals and entities that are responsible for serious human rights violations in Nicaragua. Ireland is prepared to support any additional EU measures that are aimed at supporting democratic norms and human rights in Nicaragua and that do not impact negatively on the population.

From 2012 to 2021, Ireland provided just under €12 million in funding to Nicaragua, reflecting the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Nicaragua. This funding focused on the areas of governance and human rights, gender equality, food security, nutrition and environmental sustainability, and was channelled through Irish Non-Governmental Organisations. We will also continue to support EU development cooperation activities in support of the Nicaraguan people.

I can assure the Deputy that we will continue working to support the people of Nicaragua however possible, in order to support a return to democratic norms and to protection of fundamental freedoms.