Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The Government shares the concern about the political and humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.

Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in November and President Joseph Kabila was declared to have won a further term. However, there have been widespread allegations of fraud and incidents of serious violence before, during and since the elections. These are a matter of great concern, and it is now essential that all parties work to reduce tensions.

The European Union sent an election observer mission to monitor the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which included six Irish participants. The preliminary report of the mission is highly critical of the process, pointing to irregularities and a lack of transparency in the elections. These are serious issues, and we are now discussing with our EU partners our joint response to the authorities in the DRC.

The people of the DRC have for years suffered the appalling consequences of ethnic conflicts within the country and in the wider region, which have claimed millions of lives. There have been atrocities and the most serious violations of human rights over many years. Ireland has repeatedly condemned these atrocities, and supported the bringing to justice, including through the International Criminal Court, of those responsible for war crimes and human rights violations.

Through Irish Aid, we have provided significant humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the conflict in the DRC, including €13 million over the past two years.

I am very familiar with the views of representatives of the Congolese community in Ireland, and have already met with them as Minister of State in order to hear their views on the situation in the country and to discuss the role which Ireland can play in helping support democratic progress and improve the situation of the people. I have agreed to meet with them again after the votes for the election of members of the Congolese Parliament have been counted and the EU observer mission report is complete.

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