Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the deteriorating situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7732/05]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the application of an arms embargo on the government of Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7618/05]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Sudan; the action of the Government in assisting in the provision of humanitarian assistance in the Darfur region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7623/05]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in Sudan in general and Darfur in particular and on the findings of an international commission of inquiry mandated by the Security Council of the United Nations, due to report back on 25 January 2005; the interventions which Ireland has made in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7737/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he expects to be in a position to influence the international community with a view to addressing the conflict, human rights and starvation issues in Darfur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8006/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 112, 139, 142 and 266 together.

The political, human rights and humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of Sudan remains a matter of the deepest concern for Ireland. The Government continues to use all avenues open to it to urge action in addressing the urgent humanitarian, security and political challenges which exist there. I specifically raised the need for international action on Darfur at the meeting between the EU Foreign Ministers and the US Secretary of State in Brussels on 22 February.

The United Nations, the African Union and the EU have been centrally involved in efforts to address the Darfur crisis since it erupted over two years ago. While some progress has been made, especially with regard to the improvement of the humanitarian situation, recent reports by UN special representative, Mr. Jan Pronk, provide further and deeply worrying evidence that both the Sudan Government and the rebels are continuing to violate the ceasefire agreements mediated by the African Union. Violent attacks by both sides in the conflict have heightened the atmosphere of insecurity. This is affecting the delivery of humanitarian aid and preventing the return to their homes of the 1.8 million people who have been displaced in Darfur and the 200,000 refugees in Chad.

Sustained international pressure therefore needs to be maintained on all the parties to honour their commitments, improve the security situation in Darfur and achieve a speedy political settlement. The government of Sudan must 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, the African Union and all engaged in the humanitarian effort.

The African Union's ceasefire monitoring mission, AMIS II, is playing a vital role in improving security on the ground in Darfur. Ireland and the EU are co-operating closely with the African Union in support of this mission and are providing substantial financial and logistical support to it. AU mediated peace negotiations on Darfur are due to resume in Abuja later this month. We urge the Sudanese Government and the rebel groups to re-commit themselves fully to this process, with a view to reaching an early agreement.

Ending impunity and bringing to justice those guilty of serious human rights violation is also essential for resolution of the conflict in Darfur. Therefore, I welcome the report of the UN's International Commission of Inquiry on whether serious violations of human rights, international humanitarian law and genocide have occurred in Darfur, which was published during February. While stopping short of a finding of genocide, the commission established that serious and systematic abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law have been committed and recommended that its report be referred by the UN Security Council to the International Criminal Court, ICC, so that those responsible can be brought to justice. Ireland is a strong supporter of the ICC and we fully agree that it would be the most appropriate body to try those accused of these dreadful crimes. I strongly urge that the UN Security Council take a speedy and positive decision on the commission's recommendation.

The EU has implemented a comprehensive arms embargo against Sudan since 1994. On 30 July 2004, the UN Security Council imposed an embargo on the sale or supply of weapons to all non-governmental entities and individuals, including the Janjaweed, operating in Darfur. Extension of this embargo to the government of Sudan is one measure currently being discussed by the Security Council.

In January 2005, a comprehensive peace agreement for southern Sudan was signed in Nairobi between the Sudan Government and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-Army, SPLM/A. This extremely welcome agreement put an end to the tragic civil war in the south, which has lasted for over 20 years. The UN Security Council is also considering the mandate for a UN peace support operation which would assist in implementation of the agreement. This mission of approximately 10,000 personnel would focus on providing political support to the peace process, security and monitoring aspects, support for governance and humanitarian assistance and development over a seven year period.

Ireland provided €5.88 million in humanitarian support to the Darfur region in 2004, while an additional almost €4 million was provided for the work of GOAL, Concern and Trócaire in other parts of Sudan. In 2005, Ireland will continue to respond to the needs in Darfur. A special donor pledging conference for Sudan will be held in Oslo on 11/12 April. Ireland will be represented at ministerial level at this conference and we will deliver a substantial pledge to assist in addressing the acute and critical needs of the people of Sudan. In advance of this conference, a mission led by my colleague, the Minster of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, is scheduled to travel to Darfur.