Cabinet divisions over Irish vote on Saudi Arabia in rights body

Government divisions over the election of Saudi Arabia to a UN women’s rights watchdog escalated along party lines yesterday, with Fine Gael ministers clashing with their Independent Alliance colleagues.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has said Transport Minister Shane Ross has “never raised” concerns about his refusal to disclose how Ireland voted on Saudi Arabia’s place on a United Nations women’s rights body.

Mr Flanagan, speaking to the Irish Examiner, said he was only aware of the Independent Alliance’s concerns from media comments from Mr Ross and his colleagues ministers Finian McGrath and John Hallligan.