Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, who is unable to attend because he is abroad.

The Government continues to be deeply concerned by the political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The crisis continues to have a grave impact on the Venezuelan people and has resulted in mass migration, affecting countries in the region and overall regional stability. The human impact of the crisis is particularly distressing. The UN estimates that more than 3 million people, approximately one tenth of the entire population, have left the country and the acute humanitarian needs within the country are well known, particularly in respect of the shortages in access to medicine and significant increases in malaria, infant and maternal mortality and acute malnutrition.

On 10 January, President Maduro started a new mandate on the basis of non-democratic elections held in May 2018.

Ireland was not represented at the inauguration and fully supported the related declaration by European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini which urged President Maduro to release all political prisoners; to uphold the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to urgently address the needs of the population. Ireland, alongside our EU partners, has repeatedly called on the Venezuelan Government to engage in dialogue with the opposition, respect the electoral calendar and fully restore the country’s democratic institutions. It is regrettable that the Venezuelan Government has not heeded the calls for fresh presidential elections in accordance with internationally recognised democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order.

Ireland fully supports the most recent EU 28 statement made by High Representative Federica Mogherini on 26 January which reiterates that a peaceful and inclusive democratic solution is the only sustainable way from the current crisis. It reaffirms the full support of the European Union of the democratically elected national assembly. It indicated that if no announcement of fresh elections was made in the intervening days, the European Union would take further actions, including on the issue of recognition of the country’s leadership. In the absence of such an announcement, Ireland has joined other EU member states in acknowledging and supporting Mr. Juan Guaidó, President of the democratically elected national assembly, as President ad interimof Venezuela in order for him to call for free, fair and democratic presidential elections. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has today announced that he intends to speak to Mr. Guaidó to communicate our position.

Ireland is committed to finding ways to foster shared democratic solutions that can bring political stability and address the pressing needs of the Venezuelan people, including by increasing EU humanitarian support. A credible, meaningful dialogue leading to an inclusive democratic solution is the most effective way of achieving a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the current crisis in Venezuela. Ireland also supports the remarks made by High Representative Federica Mogherini following the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Bucharest on 31 January, including those regarding further EU actions to increase humanitarian support and consider additional targeted sanctions. High Representative Mogherini also took the opportunity to announce the establishment by the European Union of an international contact group, ICG, for Venezuela. Ireland, while not seeking membership, welcomes its establishment and believes it will be a useful vehicle for facilitating dialogue in working towards a democratic solution. I look forward to the report on the first meeting of the ICG to be held in Montevideo this Thursday.

I welcome the high priority given to the issue by the European Union and the regular consultations at the highest levels on developments on the ground. Ireland will remain in close contact with our EU partners to consider next steps for co-ordinated EU action.

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