Vol. 457 No. 2
35 Mr. O'Malley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will vote in favour of the resolution seeking an end to the US blockade of Cuba at the United Nations General Assembly and bring to an end our policy of abstention in this matter where the overwhelming number of nations in the world want to see an end to this unfair blockade. [15109/95]
38 Miss Quill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will heed the unanimous resolution of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs that Ireland vote for an ending of the blockade by the United States of America on Cuba at the United Nations General Assembly this year. [15111/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 38 together. The US embargo on all political, economic and commercial relations between the United States and Cuba has been in place since 1962. As Deputies are aware, I am very conscious of the difficulties which the embargo causes for the people of Cuba. It has been my hope that the changes in international relations in recent years, which have created the conditions for the resolution of many regional cold-war issues, would lead to improved relations between the US and Cuba.
It is Ireland's policy and that of our partners in the European Union to support a peaceful transition to democracy and respect for human rights in Cuba. To this end the European Union has decided to begin exploratory discussions with Cuba in order to determine the appropriate framework and level for future relations between the EU and Cuba. I believe that maintaining political dialogue and encouraging economic relations are the means best suited to promoting evolution towards democracy and Cuba's reinstatement in the international community.
Along with partners in the European Union, the Government has expressed its concerns about the approval on 21 September by the US House of Representatives of the Helms-Burton Bill which proposes further measures to be added to the embargo, which would have extra-territorial application and which would be in conflict with the rules of international organisations including those of the WTO.
I am reviewing very carefully the position that Ireland should adopt on the Cuban resolution at this year's General Assembly in light of the overall situation, and in particular of developments over the past year, including the cross-party support expressed by the Joint Foreign Affairs Committee for a vote in favour of the resolution.
