Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
757. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged with his European counterparts regarding the forthcoming ratification of a new investment deal with China given the concerns regarding human rights violations in China and Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14619/21]
View answerThe negotiations for a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) between the EU and China were concluded in principle on 30 December last year. The conclusion in principle is a first step in the process towards signature and ratification.
Ratification of the Agreement will only arise when the European Commission presents the final legally scrubbed texts to Trade Ministers in Council which is several months away. Trade Ministers in Council will make a judgement at that time on ratification having considered all aspects of the Agreement and bilateral relations with China.
Ireland has a wide-ranging relationship with China, which covers political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people links. We share strong links in a number of areas, but there are nevertheless a number of differences in our relationship. In this context, Ireland raises points of concern with the Chinese Government directly and in appropriate multilateral fora.
The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and Ireland will continue to raise issues of concern with the Chinese authorities as they arise. Importantly, the CAI will include a Chapter on sustainable development, with commitments on environment and climate as well as labour. No such provisions have been negotiated by anyone with China before. In the area of labour, China undertakes the commitment to effectively implement the ratified ILO Conventions and to make continued and sustained effort to pursue ratification of ILO fundamental Conventions on forced labour.
In the pursuit of our bilateral relations, my Department takes the full breadth of Ireland's values and interests into account to ensure that the best outcomes for Ireland are achieved, and the Government will continue to monitor and assess the situation and engage with Chinese authorities bilaterally and in multilateral fora to address our concerns.
