Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004
158 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of visits by Irish ministers to Cuba in the past five years; the Ministers involved in each case; and the number of official invitations issued by Cuban authorities. [19606/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne official visit was made in the past five years. At the invitation of the Cuban Government the then Minister of State at the Department of Finance and Office of Public Works, Deputy Cullen, visited Cuba to attend the South Summit of the group of 77 on 10 to 14 April 2000. I am aware of 11 more official invitations to visit Cuba in that period that Ministers did not accept.
Since 5 June 2003 Ireland and its EU partners have decided to limit bilateral high level governmental visits to Cuba in protest at the continuing flagrant violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of members of the peaceful opposition. The measure was reaffirmed by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 14 June 2004.
