Dáil debates
Tuesday, 20 November 2018
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions
Humanitarian Access
5:10 pm
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
To be realistic, Ireland is not a significant player in brokering a peace deal in Yemen. That said, we are a very active commentator and are part of the debate and conversation at an EU level. I made it very clear to Ms Federica Mogherini yesterday that countries like Ireland want detail on what is happening in a timely manner and all EU countries will get that information now. The truth is that if a ceasefire is achieved and lasts, that will be just the start of the story. A reconstruction and humanitarian assistance effort will be required in Yemen that will present enormous logistical challenges. Countries will have to contribute towards that and Ireland will certainly do so. As I said, we have already contributed over €16 million to humanitarian assistance linked to the war in Yemen and I suspect we will contribute a lot more.
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