As part of our relationship and engagement with Colombia, Ireland actively supports human rights defenders, indigenous communities and the protection of civil society space, including in the context of our long-standing support to peacebuilding in the country. Addressing social, land-related and environmental issues is an essential component of Colombia’s Peace Process, and we remain firmly committed to supporting the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement, as well as further peace dialogues taking place under the current Colombian government's “Total Peace” policy.
In that context, I am aware of the human rights issues that have been raised around the Cerréjon mine. My Department has been following the issues closely and is in regular contact with all stakeholders. Representatives of the Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá have visited the region where the mine is located, as well as the mine itself, on a number of occasions. Embassy and Departmental officials accompanied a delegation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to Cerréjon in November of 2022, in the context of a broader fact-finding mission to Colombia. During this visit, as on previous occasions, meetings were held with all parties to the issues, including local communities, local authorities, and the management of the mine, in order to gain a greater understanding of the issues at play.
The assessment of my Department has been that the situation on the ground is complex and multifaceted. Through the Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá, along with our EU partners, we will continue to encourage all stakeholders to engage in inclusive dialogue in order to resolve the issues.
As the Deputy is aware, responsibility with regard to the importation of coal comes under the remit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and the ESB. As Ireland's OECD National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment has published its initial assessment on the complaints that you reference, and I understand that it continues to engage with the parties involved in line with its rules of procedure. The NCP function in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is an independent office. In that context, you will appreciate that I have no direct role in the operation and functioning of the NCP.
