Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 8, 27, 79, 92, 107, 197 and 202 together.

The Government is making use of all avenues, both bilaterally and through the EU, to focus urgent international attention on the crisis in Darfur and work towards a resolution, and it will continue to do so. Most recently, in my meetings in Cairo on 1 February, I discussed the situation with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Aboul Gheit, and the Arab League Secretary General, Amr Mussa. I know that the Oireachtas is also deeply concerned, as reflected in the all-party motion passed on 28 November.

The UN and the African Union are co-ordinating international efforts to revitalise the May 2006 Darfur peace agreement and strengthen peacekeeping. The two organisations' special envoys for Darfur, Mr. Jan Eliasson and Dr. Salim Salim, are actively trying to get negotiations under way between the parties to the agreement and non-signatory rebel groups. The African Union's ceasefire observation mission in Darfur, AMIS, is being strengthened in a phased manner with UN support and is aimed at the deployment of a strong AU-UN hybrid force later this year. Already 100 UN military, police and civilian personnel are in place under the first phase of UN support. In December 2006 President Bashir of Sudan gave his approval in principle to that phased approach to strengthening AMIS. However, regrettably, he has not as yet specifically endorsed the deployment of the AU-UN hybrid force.

Since 2004, Ireland has provided over €16 million in emergency aid to Darfur, including €3 million for AMIS. A further €2.1 million in humanitarian support has been approved to date in 2007 and more financial support for AMIS is being considered. Three members of the Permanent Defence Forces serve in support of AMIS.

The security situation in Darfur remains very unstable. Ceasefire violations by all parties, including the unacceptable bombing of civilian sites by the Sudanese airforce, banditry and inter-tribal conflicts, are undermining efforts to revitalise the peace process and having dire humanitarian consequences. Currently, humanitarian access is at its lowest level since 2004. During 2006, some 500,000 more Darfurians were displaced and in January alone a further 25,000 were forced to flee. In that overall context, the work of the UN human rights assessment mission due on the ground in Darfur within days is of great importance.

I strongly condemn the murder of an AMIS police officer on 1 February and the recent increase in violent attacks on humanitarian workers, including international aid workers. If current efforts to revitalise the political process are to succeed, it is essential that all parties immediately halt the violence and abide by their ceasefire commitments.

The international community must, in particular, present a united front in demanding that the Sudanese Government and rebel groups negotiate without preconditions and co-operate fully in implementation of all three phases of the UN support for AMIS. The EU, for its part, has implemented a comprehensive arms embargo against Sudan since 1994 and applies individual sanctions against four individuals designated by the Security Council in Resolution 1591(2005). On 22 January, EU Foreign Ministers expressed their readiness to consider further measures, notably in the UN framework against any party that obstructs implementation of the phased approach to strengthening AMIS and to establishing the AU-UN hybrid force.

Sudan's 2005 interim national constitution guarantees respect for fundamental human rights, but implementation of its provisions is very uneven. The EU maintains regular dialogue with Sudan on human rights issues in an effort to address the situation.

I will continue to avail myself of every possible opportunity to emphasise the urgent need for unhindered provision of humanitarian support to all those in need in Darfur and the speedy deployment of a well resourced peacekeeping operation under UN auspices with a strong mandate to protect civilians. The current situation is simply unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue.

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