Eamon Ryan
Ceist:132 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the involvement of Irish companies in the construction of the security wall in Palestine (details supplied). [8119/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 31 March 2004
Ceisteanna (137, 138)
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:133 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the participation of a company (details supplied) in the construction of the wall in Palestine is in contravention of the UN Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights 2003. [8118/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
I am advised that CRH own a minority share in a company which owns a company, Nesher Cement, which supplies cement to concrete manufacturers. Nesher is not directly involved in this construction project. Nevertheless, it seems likely that Nesher, which is the main supplier of cement in Israel and the Occupied Territories, may supply cement to the concrete manufacturers involved in the construction of the barrier. I would not accept that this constitutes participation by an Irish company in the construction of the separation barrier and consequently I do not see that the question of conformity with the UN norms referred to arises in this case.
Question No. 134 answered with QuestionNo. 51.
Question No. 135 answered with QuestionNo. 26.