Vol. 474 No. 5
6 Mr. Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on any proposal to establish an ombudsman for human rights at EU level, a role which would include coherence on such matters as aid policies and inter-country relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3217/97]
The Department of Foreign Affairs is not currently aware of any proposal to create an ombudsman within the EU, as outlined by the Deputy in this question. I would stress, however, that Ireland has a long tradition of promoting and protecting human rights and we have made human rights a central part of our foreign policy by giving the fullest possible expression to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in our contribution to international affairs.
Through the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Ireland has pressed for greater EU action in many human rights issues and has worked consistently to improve the standing of human rights worldwide. In particular, we have sought to promote the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations as the principal focal point for all international human rights issues. The European Union makes every effort to ensure coherence between its development aid policy and foreign policy objectives and a human rights clause is now included in all agreements with third countries.
Against this background, it is clear that Ireland will examine carefully and sympathetically any concrete proposals which may emerge in the future which seek to promote and protect human rights.
I agree that our record on the protection of human rights is second to none. That has been a central plank of our foreign policy for many years, with a greater or lesser emphasis from time to time on the direction of that policy. However, does the Tánaiste agree there is a need for an ombudsman to deal with the issues which I outlined in my question? Has he raised it, or does he intend to raise it, at the Council of Foreign Ministers with a view to taking a leadership role on this issue?
I replied to the question which sought my views on any proposal to establish an ombudsman. I replied to the Deputy in a forthright manner that there are no proposals at present in relation to an ombudsman at EU level.
The Union's development co-operation policies are based upon a process of dialogue involving the host recipient governments and member states. The Deputy is aware of the Lomé Convention which provides for ongoing dialogue at ministerial and official level between EU and recipient countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to ensure the quality of aid delivered is maintained. Similar arrangements govern Union co-operation with other areas.
The Dutch Presidency has prioritised coherence as one of its objectives and this will be discussed at the informal meeting of development ministers in February. That might be an opportunity to see what the reaction of other countries would be to the suggestion by Deputy Andrews of an ombudsman at EU level.
I am grateful for the positive response from the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to the principle enshrined in the question. I would be grateful if he would let me know the outcome of his pursuit of this matter at the meeting.
Of course I will.
Deputy Andrews has tabled a relevant question. There should be no need for an ombudsman as the Council of Europe is a body which has responsibility for the protection of human rights, not just within the European Union but within Europe as an entity. Is the Minister aware, despite the fact that delegations from the three main parties in this House have visited republican prisoners in British prisons and have reported that the conditions are disgraceful and contrary to basic human rights, that the British authorities steadfastly refuse to allow a delegation from the Council of Europe's Committee on Human Rights to visit republican prisoners in British prisons? Will he raise the matter with his counterpart in the Foreign Office in Britain and with the Home Secretary who is responsible for prisons in Britain to ensure such visits are allowed?
That is a very specific matter in the context of the question.
Certainly the Council of Europe has an important role to play and does very important work on behalf of all the citizens of Europe. I have read the reports by members of the all-party and individual party delegations on prisoners in the UK. We have raised the matter of prisoners' conditions in the UK on many occasions and will continue to do so in view of the statement from Deputy Deasy and his colleagues.
I wish to draw the Minister's attention to a specific written statement to the Council of Europe by the British Permanent Representative in Strasbourg when he said the European Council Committee on Human Rights had no standing in international law to visit prisons in Britain, in other words the British can do whatever they wish within their own country and they do not have to answer to any international body. The spirit of the question which seeks the Minister's views on any proposal to establish an ombudsman for human rights is correct. Nobody should be allowed do what they like in a civilised society. This attitude by the British authorities has had a significant effect on the breakdown of the ceasefire in Northern Ireland and on the peace process. People will not accept having their brothers and friends treated in such an abominable manner. The Irish Government should protest at the highest level. While the people in question may be guilty of the most atrocious crimes they should at least be treated as human beings.
Deputy Deasy is well aware of the active involvement of the embassy in London in relation to prisoners' conditions and trials in Britain and we will continue to voice our concern about prison conditions. The Deputy is correct in saying there is a basic human right and entitlement, irrespective of the crime, and people should be treated with dignity.
I strongly support the point made by Deputy Deasy. This has been a matter of deep concern to my party and my colleague, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, has paid a number of visits to prisoners in British jails as have representatives from all parties. Deputy Deasy has raised a very important point in relation to the Council of Europe. Will the Minister inform the House if the Government recognises that the current allocation of the European Union's budget to human rights assistance, namely, the European initiative for democracy and human rights, which has a budget allocation of £64 million, is grossly inadequate and reflects the comparative neglect of human rights issues in preference to financial aid to strategically important areas? I have in mind the Mediterranean and the Middle East which get £412 million and the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe which get £1.38 billion. Will he inform the House of the steps taken by the Government to address this imbalance both at the EU Presidency and as a member of the EU Troika? The problem is human rights issues within Europe are very far down the agenda. Allocations of aid are made on strictly political grounds. That the Mediterranean and Middle East get £412 million while sub-Saharan African is losing out on aid is a disgrace so far as the EU is concerned. What measures is the Minister taking as a member of the Troika to redress the imbalance?
There is strong co-ordination of the European Union's human rights policy which is going through a process of development. It involves regular human rights working group meetings in Brussels as well as meetings by resident EU human rights experts in New York and Geneva. I would prefer if more money was allocated to sub-Saharan Africa. Negotiations are taking place in regard to a new Lomé Convention involving Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The issue of human rights is and will remain a major policy priority for the European Union. Deputy Burke will be aware from my answer to the previous question of the emphasis we in Ireland put on human rights.
