Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the Sudan and the Government's efforts to assist that country. [1228/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The political and humanitarian situation in Sudan, particularly the Darfur region, remains a matter of the deepest concern for Ireland and the Government continues to use all avenues open to it to urge action in addressing the humanitarian, security and political challenges which exist there. During 2004, Ireland provided €6 million in humanitarian support to Darfur and we plan to provide additional funding in 2005.

The overall prospects for peace in Sudan have been greatly enhanced by the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM, in Nairobi on 9 January. This is an important and welcome commitment by the Sudan Government and the SPLM to finally end 21 years of conflict between north and south in that troubled country, which has killed thousands of people and displaced many others. This agreement paves the way towards establishing peace and promoting development in all parts of Sudan. It is now vital that the Sudanese Government and the SPLM proceed with rapid and full implementation of the agreement. Ireland, along with the rest of the international community, is ready to play its part in supporting the reconstruction of Sudan following the restoration of peace. The UN Security Council has also declared its readiness to consider establishing a UN peace support operation to assist in implementation of the Naivasha peace agreement.

The comprehensive political agreement signed in Naivasha has highlighted the need for parallel political progress with regard to the Darfur conflict. The most recent report of the UN Secretary General's special representative, Jan Pronk, has provided further, worrying evidence of how both the Sudan Government and the rebels are continuing to violate the ceasefire agreements. Humanitarian delivery continues to be jeopardised by the escalation in security incidents across many parts of Darfur. Sustained international pressure therefore needs to be maintained on all the parties to honour their commitments and work to improve the security situation in Darfur. The Government of Sudan must be pressed to accept its responsibility for security and the protection of its own citizens by disbanding the Janjaweed militia and bringing all those responsible for serious human rights violations to justice. There must also be an end to any attempts at forced relocation of internally displaced persons. The rebels, for their part, must cease all attacks and ceasefire violations. All sides must co-operate fully and constructively with the international presence in Darfur, including the UN, African Union and all engaged in the humanitarian effort.

The need to end impunity and make sure that those guilty of serious human rights violations in Darfur are brought to justice remains imperative. The international commission of inquiry established last October to investigate claims of human rights violations and genocide is due to report shortly. Ireland, with our EU partners, looks forward to receiving the report of the international commission and to considering its recommendations. The report will also be of assistance in determining what further pressures need to be applied on the parties to achieve progress towards a political resolution in Darfur. Sanctions remain an option if the Sudanese Government and the other parties continue to fail to meet their obligations.

The African Union, AU, is performing a crucial role in efforts to resolve the Darfur crisis, both through its ceasefire monitoring mission and its mediation of the peace talks between the government and the rebels taking place in Abuja, Nigeria. Ireland and the EU have welcomed and are supporting financially and logistically the expanded AU observer mission in Darfur, AMIS II. The EU is providing €92 million from its African peace facility for AMIS II, which will total 3,320 personnel when fully deployed, while Ireland has allocated €500,000 in support of the humanitarian and human rights aspects of the mission. It is hoped that this expanded mission can help to improve the security situation on the ground and to create suitable conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and IDPs. UN special representative Pronk has recently stated that the AU mission has done more than any other outside agent to improve the security situation on the ground, by its presence and its actions to mediate and forestall violent actions. He also expressed the view that the AU, both in its troops on the ground and its leadership of the political process, will remain for the foreseeable future the best mechanism for promoting peace in Darfur.

Ultimately, resolution of the crisis in Darfur requires a political agreement. The AU-mediated peace talks are due to resume in Abuja next month and I would urge the Sudanese Government and the rebel groups to recommit themselves fully to this process and resume negotiations as speedily as possible, with a view to reaching an early and final political agreement. I would hope and urge that the African Union summit, which is taking place in Abuja this week, will send a strong political message to this effect.