Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department has raised the situation of human rights defenders in West Papua in the context of the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations. [68079/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The EU and Indonesia recently concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This is a broad ranging, rules-based trade and investment agreement which will serve as a dynamic platform for long term cooperation between the EU and Indonesia. Trade agreements are an important driver for sustainable growth both in the EU and in partner countries.

Trade agreements do not comprehensively address all policy issues or all aspects of the EU's relationship with a partner country, but modern EU trade agreements do include provisions on trade and sustainable development, including on the implementation of international labour conventions and environmental agreements. The CEPA with Indonesia contains legally binding commitments on core labour standards and designates the Paris Climate Agreement an “essential element” of the deal. There is a dedicated Protocol on Palm Oil, which links trade access to compliance with EU rules against deforestation, touching directly on land rights in indigenous communities. During the negotiations, civil society organisations were given a platform to raise concerns, and assessments were undertaken to the impact of the agreement on human rights and other important parameters. A Civil Society Forum gives NGOs from both sides a formal voice in how the agreement is implemented.

I believe that this agreement will have meaningful benefits, not just for the EU, but also for the Indonesian people, while containing provisions on human rights.

The Embassy of Ireland in Indonesia regularly meets with and supports civil society organisations in Indonesia working on a range of priorities, particularly in relation to human rights. This includes actively engaging with Human Rights Defenders, including those from the Papua region, whilst closely monitoring the human rights situation there and any reports of violence arising from the area.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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194. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether she will provide an update on the preparation and publication of Ireland’s second National Plan on Business and Human Rights, following the conclusion of the first National Plan in 2020 and the public consultation undertaken in 2023; the current timeframe for publication of the second Plan; and whether, in view of the significant changes made to the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive in 2026, her Department will commit to undertaking further consultation with rights-holders, civil society organisations and trade unions on the final draft of the Plan before publication. [68266/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The second National Plan on Business and Human Rights is being jointly prepared by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The new National Plan is intended to build on the achievements of the first plan, while reflecting new developments at international and EU level, including the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

Ireland is committed to the transposition of the CSDDD by the July 2028 deadline, with the first tranche of companies coming within scope in 2029. The CSDDD will oblige in-scope companies to conduct risk-based human rights and environmental due diligence to identify and mitigate actual or potential adverse impacts arising from their operations, their subsidiaries, and their chain of activities.

Officials from my Department continue to liaise with relevant officials across Government to incorporate these and other updates in the Second National Action Plan. Once these actions are agreed to, the second National Action Plan will be presented to the Stakeholder Forum for consideration, with a view to publishing soon thereafter.

Throughout the drafting process, stakeholder engagement has remained a key priority. The Business and Human Rights Stakeholder Forum has met twice, proving invaluable in shaping the draft National Action Plan. Stakeholders have provided strong feedback of draft action points, which will ensure actions are deliverable, measured, and specific.

The finalised plan will cover a multi-annual timeframe and will reflect new developments in the international understanding of business and human rights. It will have key performance indicators which will have assigned responsibilities and timelines to adhere to. I expect this to bring human rights to the fore in the minds of Irish businesses so they can demonstrate their conscientious performance as required by the public.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will condemn the recent widespread arrests and detentions of numerous LGBTQ+ persons and activists in Turkey, if she will re-affirm Turkey’s obligations to uphold the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ people as guaranteed by the ECHR; if she will raise her concerns directly with the Turkish Ambassador to Ireland; and if the Irish Government will support placing those responsible for the gross violations of human rights on the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions regime. [68286/26]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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198. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the recent wave of arrests and detentions of LGBTQ+ persons and activists in Turkey, if she will raise her concerns directly with the Turkish Ambassador to Ireland, if the Irish Government would support considering those responsible for this anti-LGBTQ+ crackdown for inclusion under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. [68167/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 198 together.

I remain very concerned about this matter and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to monitor relevant developments.

As an EU candidate country and member of the Council of Europe, Türkiye is expected to uphold the highest democratic standards and to ensure the respect of fundamental rights for all. Ireland views the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms as essential elements of a democratic society, protected under international human rights instruments to which Türkiye is a party.

Every person, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic, is entitled to equality, dignity and the full enjoyment of their human rights. The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland, and this is reflected in our campaign for membership of the UN Human Rights Council where defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is one of our five thematic priorities.

Ireland continues to support initiatives in the EU and other international fora which promote and protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, and which condemn violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Ireland stands in full solidarity with LGBTIQ+ persons and their allies in Türkiye. We very recently aligned with like-minded countries to raise our concerns both with the authorities in Ankara and at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg – calling on Turkish authorities to fully respect the rule of law and the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Ireland does not impose any unilateral sanctions regimes but implements UN and EU sanctions. The Council of the European Union adopts EU sanctions through Council decisions, which must be agreed unanimously. When sanction proposals are brought to the relevant working groups, Ireland considers whether to support them based on the strength of the evidence presented.

I will keep potential and proportionate responses under review, including through bilateral channels or opportunities for coordination with EU Member States, or through other multilateral fora.