Diamond Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2015

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Questions (105)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

105. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will impress upon the European Commission, which represents Ireland and all other European Union member states in the Kimberley process certification scheme, the urgent need to reform the definition of a conflict diamond in order that all blood diamonds, including blood diamonds which generate revenue for Government forces guilty of gross human rights violations, are banned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38993/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Joe McHugh)

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is the established international regime governing the trade in rough diamonds. The KPCS has developed a set of minimum requirements that each participant must meet to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free' and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade. Ireland participates in the KPCS as a Member State of the EU. The EU as a whole is a single Participant in the KPCS, and Council Regulation (EC) 2368/2002 implementing the KPCS for the international trade in rough diamonds applies common rules in all Member States.

Ireland is fully engaged in the KPCS at EU level and supports efforts to ensure that all trade in rough diamonds potentially used to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments is prevented. The prevention of conflict and the protection of human rights remain consistent priorities in Ireland’s relations with other states, both bilaterally and at EU level.