Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 277 together.

I warmly welcome the conclusion of a peace deal between the Kenyan Government and Opposition on 28 February 2008, following over a month of mediation talks led by the former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. This is an important and potentially historic agreement which I hope will bring to an end the ethnic conflict and strife which Kenya experienced in the two months following its disputed presidential elections. The peace deal has been welcomed on all sides, including by UN Secretary General Ban and the Slovenian Presidency on behalf of the EU.

Under the deal, a coalition government is to be established and a new post of prime minister created, to which Mr. Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, is most likely to be appointed. The Kenyan Parliament has begun considering legislation to give effect to the necessary constitutional changes.

I want to commend both President Kibaki and Mr. Odinga for their willingness to compromise and agree to a coalition government which can govern in the interests of all Kenyans. Particular tribute also needs to be paid to the Panel of Eminent African Personalities led by Kofi Annan whose commitment to achieving a political resolution of the current crisis has been exemplary. In response to a request from the UN, Ireland was pleased to be able to provide €100,000 in financial support to bolster the talks.

The full implementation of all aspects of this deal will now be critical to addressing the more long-term problems which contributed to the recent crisis. While the immediate issue of power-sharing may have been resolved, issues such as constitutional and electoral reform and greater progress in tackling corruption remain to be decisively addressed within the framework of ongoing political discussions between the government and opposition, which will now continue with the mediation of a Panel of African Experts.

Since the post-election violence, which resulted in an estimated 1,500 deaths and upwards of 600,000 people being displaced, the humanitarian situation in Kenya has improved, with some of those displaced beginning to return to their homes. Ireland is a significant humanitarian donor to Kenya, and has committed a total of over €25 million to Kenya since 2006. None of this aid is channelled through the Kenyan Government. This Irish Aid funding includes just over €7 million in humanitarian relief for Kenya in response to emergency appeals, and over €18 million for Irish, international and local NGOs, as well as missionaries, working in Kenya. Nationally, and through the EU, we will continue to do all we can to assist Kenya in its recovery efforts.

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