Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

Gulf states trade trip 'not time or place' to bring up human rights concerns

Minister Richard Bruton said that concerns can be raised through other forums including the UN and European Union.

JOBS MINISTER RICHARD Bruton was questioned today on whether the subject of human rights concerns would be raised during this week’s trade trip to the Gulf states.

He appeared to confirm that it was not the right time or place to raise these concerns – but that the Irish government had other forums in which to raise them.

As of yesterday, the Government had declined to say whether Taoiseach Enda Kenny had or would raise specific concerns about human rights issues with leaders in the Gulf states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he is on a trade mission with other Irish officials this week.

One of the members of the mission is Minister Bruton, who spoke to RTÉ radio show Morning Ireland from Abu Dhabi this morning.

So far, the trade mission has led to business contacts worth €25 million.

Bruton said “we are very conscious of human rights issues, and for example the Taoiseach welcomed Saudi Arabia joining the Human Rights Council of the UN”.

He said of raising concerns that “clearly we will work with other countries through UN agencies but also through our membership of the European Union”.

When it was put to him that the trade mission is there to do business, and that in terms of bringing up anything negative or any concerns, “this is not the time, this is not the place”, Bruton said “that would be correct”.

Bruton pointed out that there are requirements in the trade negotiations, and there are standards that have to be met as Ireland develops trade agreements with these countries.

He said that this visit mainly involves business-to-business meetings where Irish businesses are meeting their counterparts. “Our focus here is exports and jobs, clearly that is the focus,” concluded Bruton.

Read: Government won’t say if Taoiseach has or will raise human rights concerns with Gulf states>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
91 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ricky bobby
    Favourite ricky bobby
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 5:55 PM

    Great work as always during storm damage lads! No matter what the conditions are like I always see an esb van. Respect

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Father Hody Commody
    Favourite Father Hody Commody
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 6:14 PM

    @ricky bobby: Haven’t seen one yet. The website and phone line are useless. One informs me one time, and the other a different time. The guys doing the fixing, well kudos to them. The people supplying the information are useless.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute whajahmacallit
    Favourite whajahmacallit
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 6:19 PM

    I have much respect for the ESB crews who are out in all sorts of weather as soon as network faults occur.

    53
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ricky bobby
    Favourite ricky bobby
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 6:58 PM

    @Father Hody Commody: like every other service in the country I am sure they are having staffing issues, with people getting in and out to work. Have a bit of patience and if you need to go with the latter time of restoration that they gave you then so be it. Their phone lines don’t affect how long it will be before the crews get you back up and running.
    The whole country was stretched the last few days just bare with them.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sarah Connor
    Favourite Sarah Connor
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 6:09 PM

    Hopefully all will be restored soon, well done to everyone out working to get things back in order!

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
    Favourite Joe oshaughnessy
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 6:08 PM

    Fair play to all in the ESB

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny
    Favourite Jonny
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:30 PM

    Big respect to ESB networks for the amazing work they do

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Murphy
    Favourite Mark Murphy
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:18 PM

    All I want is a movie a roaring fire and watch the snow outside:) sunny South East me backside

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ricky bobby
    Favourite ricky bobby
    Report
    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:47 PM

    @Mark Murphy: so do you want the sunny south east or the snow?

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds