A chara, – Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton (Opinion, January 23rd) wrote: "I believe that we must continue and build on our strong record on human rights."
Surely by his and our Taoiseach’s failure to integrate human rights issues into their trade talks in the Gulf they have undermined and tarnished that record.
Mr Bruton believes that trade issues and human rights issues are mutually exclusive and to raise genuine concerns over women’s rights, workers’ safety or governmental reform would jeopardise those important talks.
However, to have any serious chance of effecting real change in these areas, trade missions are exactly the arena to raise concerns. Business and trade cannot exist in isolation from society and civilisation.
It is morally incumbent on those of us with a strong voice to speak up for the voiceless in our societies. The International Trade Union Confederation estimates that 4,000 more migrant workers will die in Qatar, building the stadiums before a ball is kicked in the World Cup.
On our behalf, the Taoiseach and his minister lost an important opportunity to speak up for these unfortunate workers. – Is mise,
FEARGAL BROUGHAM,
Shelmartin Avenue,
Marino, Dublin 3.