The Government has reiterated Ireland's commitment to working towards universal abolition of the death penalty.
Minister of State and Government chief whip Tom Kitt strongly condemned the death penalty as "a violation of the most basic human right, the right to life" at the World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris at the weekend.
Mr Kitt described the death penalty as a "cruel and inhuman punishment" and said the congress provides an important opportunity not only to send a strong message of its opposition to the death penalty but also to reflect on how best to move the abolitionist movement forward.
The Minister assured representatives of Bulgaria of Ireland's continuing support for the health workers who have been condemned to death by a Libyan court.
Ireland has been a strong supporter of the congress and donated €50,000 from the Irish Aid fund towards its running costs. The congress brings together political leaders, legal experts and civil society representatives and provides a platform for abolitionists from around the world.
The discussions at this year's congress focused on various topics including the prospects of its abolition in north Africa and the Middle East.
Mr Kitt led the Irish delegation and other speakers included the French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, and the UN's Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston.