Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 42: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that the relatively limited damage done by the drought in Kenya and Ethiopia can be attributed to his overall development strategy and that of the international community in those countries; and if he will explain the rationale by which he has funded specific non-governmental organisations during the recent emergency in the Horn of Africa. [27381/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The appalling situation in the Horn of Africa highlights the importance of planning longer-term solutions to the problem of hunger in developing countries. This is exemplified by the effect of the crisis on Ethiopia and Somalia. Somalia, which has been wracked by conflict for two decades, is reeling from the ravages of the drought. Ethiopia, which has a stable Government and a strong relationship with the international community, is meeting the challenge head-on.

While there are undoubtedly enormous humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, mechanisms to deal with the crisis are being deployed against a backdrop of relative peace, stability and high levels of Government co-ordination. Ireland has played a role in building this resilience, as Ethiopia has been a priority country for Ireland's aid programme since 1994. A clear example is our support to the Productive Safety Net Programme, which provides the vulnerable with predictable cash or food transfers in return for work on projects such as land rehabilitation. This programme helps to protect the lives of more than 7 million people annually. This year, the Government has allocated more than €32 million to Ethiopia.

Kenya is not a priority country for Irish Aid but NGOs, missionaries and the UN system are working in longer-term development activities there and receive significant support from Ireland. Based on 2010 expenditure we expect to provide more than €7 million in assistance in 2011.

In addition, the Government has allocated more than €10 million in emergency support to the current crisis and has committed an additional €10 million before the end of 2012. Funding decisions are based on the ability of partner agencies to address the most urgent needs, such as emergency feeding programmes which target the most vulnerable. These allocations have also been informed by the recommendations of three field visits by Irish Aid officials to the region this year.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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When we discussed this earlier this year, I raised the issue of the resuscitation of boreholes as one approach that we could take.

As the Minister of State will be aware, the first problem in the Horn of Africa, and why there has been a famine declared in a number of regions of Somalia, is the political instability which prevents having a long-term approach such as that we have seen in Ethiopia. It is clear that the same environmental circumstances pertain to Ethiopia and Kenya, but they have not faced famine at this point. What can Ireland do, as part of the international community, to address the food instability crisis as it pertains to Africa, particularly at times like this? How do we deal with the commodity-based approach to vital crops that could save lives in these areas? What can Ireland do as part of the European Union? The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade recommended that an EU envoy be sent to the region to address the political instability there. It is being reported that the al-Shabab group, which has deterred those who are trying to provide aid and save lives, carried out a bombing in Mogadishu today. How can we play a part in finding a solution? How can we ensure these problems are not repeated in the future?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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We can raise our voices in all the international forums at which we are represented, including the foreign ministers' forum, which the Tánaiste attends, the development ministers' forum, which I attend, and the UN agencies. We have consistently raised our voices at international level. At the recent meeting of development ministers in Poland, I raised the need for a co-ordinated response from the European Union in this context. We also have a presence through Irish non-governmental organisations on the ground. It is difficult to get into Somalia with aid. Agencies like Concern, Trócaire and the International Committee of the Red Cross have a long-term presence and local staff in Somalia. We receive a great deal of information about what is happening on the ground through those agencies. The answer to the Deputy's question is that we have to continue to use whatever opportunities we have in an international context, for example through the EU or the UN, to raise these issues and support any measures being taken to bring some kind of peace and stability to the area in question.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I commend the Government on its efforts to assist in meeting the $1.87 billion international target that has been set in the context of this immediate emergency. I understand that we have committed more than €10 million and we have said we will commit a further €10 million. We have met our responsibilities. It appears to me that many of our international partners, including EU member states, have not met their responsibilities. What is the current position in terms of meeting the targets I have mentioned? Is the Government happy that its European and international partners have responded adequately? Are we happy that the non-governmental organisations with which we are working have a long-term approach to dealing with the issues I raised in my initial question? I will return to the question of aid effectiveness, which arises in this context.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I understand that a total of $1.8 billion has been contributed as part of the international response. The UN has identified that a further $700 million will be required by the end of the year. The Deputy is right to suggest that some countries, including Ireland, have had a strong response whereas many other countries have had a relatively weak response. We need to continue to raise this issue at international level. The Deputy's second question related to non-governmental organisations.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I asked whether we are happy that the non-governmental organisations and UN organisations we support - having looked at the list, I am satisfied they are of international repute - have a long-term approach to working on the ground and helping to overcome political instability. We need to ensure agricultural matters are addressed, for example by providing bore holes.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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We are running out of time.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I am just clarifying that long-term solutions are needed.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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We are in ongoing discussions with those bodies to ensure such solutions are provided. The very fact that they are among the small number of international non-governmental organisations that are actually allowed into parts of Somalia is an indication that they are there for the long haul. They have been working there for a long time.