Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 456: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to help counteract the increased pressures on aid agencies, in the aftermath of the tsunami of 26 December 2004, in coping with emergencies in other parts of the world, such as Darfur and the AIDS crisis; and if, in view of these pressures, he will accelerate progress in Ireland's commitment to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNP. [10746/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 457: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Governments around the world have met their pledges of aid in the aftermath of the tsunami of 26 December 2004; and if not, the action which can be taken to ensure that they do. [10747/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together.

Understandably, our primary aim in responding to any emergency has to be to use the best available means to deliver assistance to the vulnerable as quickly as possible. That said, we are aware that all agencies involved in responding to the aftermath of the tsunami have been overwhelmed by its scale. Given this exceptional situation we have been disposed to the use of some of the funds allocated to Irish NGOs to build or augment their capacity on the ground to deliver this assistance.

As a general point, Development Co-operation Ireland has been committed to ensuring that its engagement with the many forgotten emergencies is not diminished by the response to the tsunami and we are aware that many NGOs have made similar commitments.

Ireland recognises the importance of honouring aid pledges and the need for them to be disbursed fully and effectively in line with best international practice. In response to the UN flash appeal last January, donors pledged US$871 million to assist countries affected by the tsunami. Of that, $810 million, or 93% of the pledge, has been converted into confirmed contributions — 84% from governments and 9% from private sources. From this, it can be seen that there has been a high delivery on the original pledges.

In addition, the Development Assistance Committee, the DAC, of the OECD, which represents 22 donor countries, has announced that it proposes to monitor disbursement by governments against their pledges of assistance for tsunami victims. Ireland and its NGOs have also repeatedly raised this issue at EU level. Ireland has pledged €20 million for the tsunami, of which almost50%, €9.8 million, has already been allocated. Work is ongoing to allocate the balance of €10.2 million in an efficient, effective and accountable manner. Former Minister of State, Mr. Chris Flood, who has been appointed as envoy for the tsunami follow-up, will track the use of Ireland's funds and ensure that these are employed in line with best international practice.

On the situation in Sudan, I can confirm that I paid a visit to the country last week to assess the needs on the ground ahead of the Oslo pledging conference. I am delighted to inform the Deputy that the Government will give €15 million to Sudan for the period 2005 to 2007. This money will be allocated to different regions in the country and will reflect the priorities expressed to me by UN agencies, NGOs and local leaders with whom I have discussed the situation on my recent visit.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 458: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has met all of its pledges of overseas aid, in particular to Honduras and countries affected by Hurricane Mitch, Liberia, Afghanistan, Haiti and Iraq. [10749/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A list of pledges made at international pledging conferences, in respect of funding for Afghanistan, Liberia, Iraq and Haiti, is outlined in the following table. From this table it can be seen that many pledges have been fully delivered. The timeframe for delivery, as agreed with the parties involved, can stretch over a number of years. However, Ireland recognises the importance of honouring aid pledges and the need for them to be disbursed fully and effectively in line with best international practice. Ireland's funding is delivered through key UN agencies and NGO partners who have the skills and capacity to operate on the ground. All programmes are in line with the needs prioritised by each country.

In the case of Honduras and other countries affected by Hurricane Mitch in October 1998, the Government dispersed over €760,000 for humanitarian programmes in the region affected in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane during the period November 1998 to January 1999. Since Hurricane Mitch, Ireland's funding to the Central American region has increased significantly. In 2004, it amounted to over €6 million, of which €2.65 million was allocated for development programmes in Honduras. In 2005, €7.4 million has been allocated for development programmes in the region.