Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 February 2010
353 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the issue of the continued operation of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility with the US authorities in the past year. [7729/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra356 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date on a European wide level towards fulfilling the premise of the Framework Agreement between the European Union and the USA on the reception of former Guantanamo Bay detainees, 45 of whom have been cleared for release but who remain incarcerated due to the fact that no host country has come forward. [7730/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra357 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will, at the next EU council meeting argue that the EU member states do more to ensure the closure of Guantanamo Bay, by accepting more of the 45 detainees who have been cleared by the US authorities for release but who remain incarcerated due to the fact that no host country has come forward. [7731/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 353, 356 and 357 together.
In March 2009, the Taoiseach in Washington offered to assist the United States in implementing their commitment to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. In this context, two former detainees have been received for resettlement in Ireland. They arrived in Ireland in late September 2009.
On the two occasions that I met with Secretary of State Clinton in 2009 we discussed progress on the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. On both occasions she expressed appreciation for Ireland's contribution. In June 2009, the EU and US reached a framework agreement setting out certain modalities to facilitate the possible reception by the Member States of individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay. In this context, certain EU Member States have taken a number of former detainees and others continue to consider the acceptance of detainees still in Guantanamo Bay. Issues surrounding the closure of Guantanamo Bay are discussed in various fora within the EU where we have shared our experience with partners. Together with our EU partners, Ireland continues to encourage the US to bring about the closure of Guantanamo Bay in the shortest possible time.
354 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Cabinet sub-committee on certain aspects of international human rights has met; the progress to date completing its remit; and the persons in attendance at the meetings. [7728/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cabinet Committee on Aspects of International Human Rights was established in 2008, and meetings took place on 20 October 2008 and 28 October 2009. The issues under its remit are considered on an on-going basis. The Committee membership includes the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Transport, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of the Environment and Local Government, and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
355 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a group (details supplied) is seeking formal accreditation with the United Nations as a children’s rights advocacy group; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the founders of this organisation have a well documented track record in the abuse of children within this State, as evidenced in the Ryan Report; if he will instruct the Irish permanent representative to the United Nations to make a submission to the UN that draws attention to this fact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7626/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the UN body responsible for the granting of consultative status to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which meet certain criteria, including that the NGOs' aims and purposes are in conformity with the "spirit, purposes and principles" of the UN Charter. This and other criteria for eligibility are set out in ECOSOC resolution 1996/31. Consultative status allows NGOs to contribute their views on issues coming before the ECOSOC.
Applications for consultative status are considered by the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs which evaluates each applicant NGO on its merits. Ireland is not currently a member of this Committee, which comprises 19 UN member States. The most recent review of applications for consultative status took place in early February 2010. According to the information available to my Department, no application from the group in question for consultative status has as yet been made.
