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.