Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 87 together.

The Government continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. The disastrous economic policies of that country's government have led to severe hardship for ordinary people. Those who seek democratic change in Zimbabwe are facing enormous obstacles. The efforts of opposition parties in Zimbabwe to organise are being hampered by the selective enforcement of harsh security laws, restrictive media laws and government efforts to politicise aid distribution and access to state services. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum stated this month that politically motivated violence has increased throughout 2007. Opposition activists and supporters, including those from the Movement for Democratic Change, continue to be intimidated and harassed. International efforts must focus on pushing for a level playing field for the March 2008 elections to allow the people of Zimbabwe to decide who can best lead their country out of its economic and political crisis.

Ireland and the EU strongly believe that African leadership is the key to encouraging progress towards economic and political stability. We support the talks between the government and opposition in Zimbabwe which are being mediated by President Mbeki of South Africa under the mandate of the Southern African Development Community, SADC. Agreement has been reached on making certain constitutional changes and updating the electoral register. It is hoped that such changes can be made. When the EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Zimbabwe in October, they agreed they might need to follow up the SADC initiative when it has been completed. At a meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 19 November last, it was agreed that President Mugabe will hear a tough and clear message on the EU's abhorrence of his policies if he travels to Lisbon for the EU-Africa Summit next month. The EU is ready to respond substantively to any positive change in Zimbabwe. It regularly raises its strong views on Zimbabwe's internal situation with that country's neighbours and with the SADC.

The Irish Embassy in Pretoria monitors allegations of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe on an ongoing basis. It raises issues of concern with the Zimbabwean authorities at every opportunity. During his visit to Harare in September 2007, the Irish ambassador and other EU heads of mission met the director for Europe and the Americas of the Zimbabwean Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Our strong views on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and our concerns about poor governance in that county were restated at the meeting. The ambassador again outlined these concerns to the Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa on 5 November. The Government, through Irish Aid, has provided assistance of €17.8 million to the people of Zimbabwe since the start of 2006 in partnership with NGOs, missionaries and UN agencies. These programmes have a direct and positive effect on the lives of thousands of unfortunate Zimbabwean citizens.

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