Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

67. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether, in the course of the Government’s diplomatic engagements in the United States for St. Patrick’s Day this year, he, other Ministers or any Irish officials challenged the United States regarding the decision of the current administration to continue to enforce the Cuban embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25798/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department engages extensively with the United States on a wide range of foreign policy issues. Recent high level political engagements with the United States Government, including my visit in February to Washington DC and the programme of Ministerial visits to the United States for St. Patrick’s Day, were important opportunities to discuss a number of priority foreign policy issues, notably the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the war in Ukraine.

Ireland uses various platforms to raise issues in respect of Cuba. These include through our Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and through our EU partners, whenever appropriate. Ireland also engages with Cuba through our engagement with the Embassy of Cuba in Dublin, through our Embassy in Mexico, to which Cuba is accredited, and through the various dialogue mechanisms that are provided under the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) in place between the EU and Cuba. Indeed, in November last year, former EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore visited Cuba to carry out the regular Human Rights Dialogue with the Cuban authorities, and discussed issues around human rights including the US embargo.

Ireland’s position on the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba is very clear. We, alongside our EU colleagues, have long considered that it serves no constructive purpose, that it has resulted in significant negative impacts for the Cuban people, and that it has ultimately failed to bring about any reforms in Cuba’s political system. We believe that a lifting of the embargo would be beneficial for the Cuban economy and people.

Ireland’s view in this regard has been consistently expressed in multilateral fora. Most recently, Ireland, alongside our EU colleagues, voted in favour of a UN resolution calling for the ending of the embargo before the United Nations General Assembly in November 2023.

Ireland also fully supported the comprehensive EU statement on this matter in November, which was delivered at the General Assembly and which again highlighted the fact that the embargo has a damaging impact on the economic situation of the country and negatively effects the living standards of the Cuban people.

I note that the United States has recently removed Cuba from its list of countries that are “not cooperating fully” with counter-terrorism efforts. However, it is regrettable that Cuba remains designated by the US as a state sponsor of international terrorism. The EU has firmly voiced its opposition to this designation and its associated measures, which it has stated clearly are in violation of commonly accepted rules of international trade.