Dáil debates

Tuesday, 3 July 2007

Priority Questions.

Foreign Conflicts.

3:00 pm

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs about the humanitarian situation in Darfur; when the full peacekeeping force will be in place; the latest contact his Department has had with the Government of Sudan and surrounding countries in respect of the crisis situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18776/07]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government continues to be deeply concerned about the crisis in Darfur and its spillover into neighbouring territory in Chad and the Central African Republic. We are pursuing all avenues to support international efforts to address the grave humanitarian, political and security challenges faced there.

On the ground in Darfur the humanitarian situation remains very difficult. Civilians, humanitarian workers and the members of the African Union Mission in Sudan, AMIS, are being targeted on an ongoing basis. A further 150,000 civilians have been displaced this year, in addition to the 2 million already displaced, the majority of whom have not been able to return home. The difficulties being faced by UN agencies and NGOs are a particular concern.

Ireland continues to make a strong contribution to international efforts to alleviate this human tragedy. In the period 2004-07 Irish Aid provided €29.7 million in emergency and recovery funding for Sudan, of which €19 million was specifically for Darfur. Since 2006 Ireland has provided €3.31 million in humanitarian aid for the Central Africa Republic and €3.5 million for Chad.

Following sustained political pressure from the international community, on 12 June the Government of Sudan approved the proposed UN-African Union hybrid peacekeeping mission. On 22 June the African Union authorised deployment of the mission and agreed that it should be strongly mandated to protect civilians, support the peace process and work towards the establishment of the secure environment needed for the sustainable return of internally displaced people. Discussions are now ongoing in New York on a new UN Security Council resolution that would pave the way for UN funding for the hybrid mission.

The Government played an active role in the international efforts to address the underlying political crisis in Sudan which led to the breakthrough on the hybrid mission. In his meetings with the Sudanese Foreign Minister in Khartoum in July 2006 and in New York in September 2006 the Minister for Foreign Affairs urged the Government of Sudan to agree to UN engagement in peacekeeping in Darfur. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for overseas development, Deputy Conor Lenihan, met the Minister of Economy, Planning and International Co-operation of the Central African Republic on 8 February to discuss the situation there. The Government has also been working closely with our European partners in this matter.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

For example, on 18 June EU Foreign Ministers reiterated their support for the United Nations' work in establishing a multi-dimensional UN presence in eastern Chad and the north east of the Central African Republic. The Government will continue to accord the highest priority to tackling the humanitarian, political and security challenges in the Darfur region of Sudan and neighbouring countries and will remain closely engaged in international efforts to resolve all aspects of this crisis.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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The situation in Sudan is appalling — hundreds of thousands have been killed, 3 million are displaced and depend on humanitarian aid, and security is needed. The Minister of State said discussions were taking place at the United Nations about the hybrid force on which the United Nations, the African Union and the Sudanese Government agreed. Surely it is time for action. As the days pass more people are killed and displaced. When does the Minister of State think there will be a final decision on the configuration of the so-called hybrid force which should have been in place yesterday?

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. There seems to be an extraordinary delay in concluding these issues. Diplomacy involves excessive discussion of the issues and one can only hope this will produce action. The generally accepted view is that action is needed, rather than further discussions in New York. Speed is of the essence.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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While the talking continues, what is the situation regarding the embargo to be imposed on the Sudanese Government? Has this been forgotten? What input will the Government have in formulating the hybrid force and will Irish troops be involved?

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On the last point, as we have received no request, that matter has not been discussed. The European Union and the Government have implemented a range of arms embargoes on Sudan since 1994. Over the past few months the Foreign Ministers have repeatedly emphasised their readiness to consider further measures, within the UN framework, against the party which obstructs towards the AU-UN hybrid force.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Are there any indications of the attitude of China towards this hybrid force? Is there any danger that the Chinese Government will veto moves by the United Nations to set up the force, in view of the interest China has in that part of the world?

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The general view is that China's role could be a very positive one. Its involvement seems to be benign at present and could be very helpful. There is no doubt it can play a positive role in that area.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the establishment of a conflict resolution centre here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18777/07]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The rationale for the establishment of the conflict resolution unit, and its broad objectives, were set out in the Government's White Paper on Irish Aid, which was published last September. The unit was set up last autumn and is leading work within the Department of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with Irish Aid and the Anglo-Irish division, on the preparation of a detailed draft initial plan. It is undertaking extensive research on, and analysis of, conflict resolution initiatives elsewhere, possible themes and regions of focus and the identification of possible future partners.

The work plan will, of course, reflect the targets set out in the programme for Government, which underscored the importance of conflict resolution as a theme in our foreign policy. The programme for Government includes commitments to the appointment of a number of roving ambassadors to crisis regions and to an enhanced stability fund of €25 million annually. The programme for Government also indicates the intention to establish an academic centre which will help deliver on the conflict resolution unit's mandate to work with academic institutions, civil society organisations and other potential partners.

More broadly, the conflict resolution initiative will enable us, where possible and appropriate, to facilitate elsewhere the peaceful outcome of conflicts and apply the lessons we have learned through the Northern Ireland peace process.

This is an exciting but challenging set of goals, the full implementation of which will inevitably require time and patience and will involve a certain amount of experimentation. It will also require intensive co-ordination nationally and internationally. We must ensure that the areas and themes on which we choose to focus are appropriate for us and that we can deliver on them.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Have extra staff been taken on and, if so, where will they be located? What connection is there between the sub-unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the group set up in Northern Ireland under the chairmanship of Lord Robin Eames and Mr. Denis Bradley? What is the Minister's view of the latter group and its membership? Does the Government intend to support in any way the body of people engaged in the work of looking at the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland? I understand the body will report early next year.

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As I mentioned in my reply, work is being done in this regard in two sections in the Department.

The Deputy raised a very interesting question on the establishment of the consultative group on the past. We are at a new and positive stage in the political process in Northern Ireland. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has welcomed the announcement of the consultative group to examine the issues that arise when dealing with the past. The group, which is jointly chaired by experienced and respected representatives, will report next summer. The Minister understands that the group will look at the broader issues of how to approach the legacy of conflict rather than focus on individual cases. There remain a number of bodies and inquiries looking at specific cases, including the Bloody Sunday inquiry. We do not underestimate the fact that this is a very complex area. We wish the process well but it will be some time before the results crystallise.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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How does all this excellent work, to be done over the coming months, sit with the refusal of the British Government to hold an inquiry into the assassination of Mr. Finucane?

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is being very creative in slipping in that question. He knows the view of the Government in that regard.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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It is relevant.

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I agree but he is being creative in introducing an additional issue and it is not particularly helpful. Rather than be negative we should be positive. Now that the consultative group on the past is under way it will be able to look at many issues.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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That is a disgraceful attitude. This matter will not go away and it is not good enough to say it is not helpful to raise it. The reluctance of the British Government to have an inquiry undermines the credibility of much other work being done in that part of the world. I will ask the question again. Has the Government made a protest to the British Government about its refusal to have a real inquiry to get justice for the Finucane family?

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy knows well that the answer is in the affirmative.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not.

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has repeatedly indicated its concerns about bringing the concerns of the Finucane family to finality on this.

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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It is not being very effective.

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has always supported the family in that respect and it is mischievous to suggest otherwise.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That concludes Priority Questions. We now move on to Other Questions, which are open to all Deputies.