Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The rationale for the establishment of the conflict resolution unit, and its broad objectives, were set out in the Government's White Paper on Irish Aid, which was published last September. The unit was set up last autumn and is leading work within the Department of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with Irish Aid and the Anglo-Irish division, on the preparation of a detailed draft initial plan. It is undertaking extensive research on, and analysis of, conflict resolution initiatives elsewhere, possible themes and regions of focus and the identification of possible future partners.

The work plan will, of course, reflect the targets set out in the programme for Government, which underscored the importance of conflict resolution as a theme in our foreign policy. The programme for Government includes commitments to the appointment of a number of roving ambassadors to crisis regions and to an enhanced stability fund of €25 million annually. The programme for Government also indicates the intention to establish an academic centre which will help deliver on the conflict resolution unit's mandate to work with academic institutions, civil society organisations and other potential partners.

More broadly, the conflict resolution initiative will enable us, where possible and appropriate, to facilitate elsewhere the peaceful outcome of conflicts and apply the lessons we have learned through the Northern Ireland peace process.

This is an exciting but challenging set of goals, the full implementation of which will inevitably require time and patience and will involve a certain amount of experimentation. It will also require intensive co-ordination nationally and internationally. We must ensure that the areas and themes on which we choose to focus are appropriate for us and that we can deliver on them.

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