Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the move by the US Administration to add the Republic of Cuba to its state sponsors of terrorism list; if he is concerned that this move may lead to a strengthening of the US blockade against Cuba; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3412/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Together with our European Union partners, Ireland has consistently opposed the inclusion of Cuba on the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism and the associated measures, which the EU has stated are in violation of commonly accepted rules of international trade.

Ireland and the EU’s position on the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba is clear. Ireland has expressed this view consistently on various occasions in recent years. Along with our EU partners, Ireland consistently votes in favour of the UN resolution calling for an end to the US embargo on Cuba.

I can confirm that Ireland voted again in favour of this resolution when it was last brought before the United Nations General Assembly in October 2024. The comprehensive EU statement delivered at the General Assembly during this vote again highlighted the damaging impact the embargo has on the lives of the Cuban people and the economy. It also addressed other concerns, including in relation to the human rights situation in the country and re-stated the EU’s commitment to engagement with Cuba.

Ireland will continue to raise these issues together with our EU partners and to support continued engagement between the EU and Cuba through the various dialogue mechanisms that are provided under the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA).