Vol. 529 No. 1
130 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects the US blockade of Cuba to be raised at the UN Security Council; the Irish attitude to the lifting of this blockade, which is widely regarded as being in breach of international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2225/01]
On the general issue of the US trade embargo against Cuba, I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 86
With regard to the specific point regarding the UN Security Council, it must be recalled that the embargo against Cuba is a unilateral one imposed by the United States. The United Nations itself has not imposed sanctions against Cuba and, therefore, the Security Council does not have a direct role in addressing the matter. Cuba has not itself sought the council's active involvement and has chosen instead to pursue the matter in the General Assembly. The United States, as a permanent member of the Security Council, holds veto power over decisions of the council. Should Cuba decide that the way forward is to try to engage SECCO on the issue, we will, as a member of the council, consider the matter very carefully. The Government remains committed to finding, together with our EU partners, practical ways to remedy the current situation and we will lose no opportunity to do so.
