John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the serious criticisms by Colombia and by international human rights organisations of the Irish Government's financial and moral support of the demobilisation process of the right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that these paramilitaries continue to kill and abuse innocent Colombian citizens while continuing to be major players in the cocaine trade; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that national and international NGOs within Colombia consider the Irish Government is legitimising armed groups who have carried out the majority of the massacres in Colombia over the past 20 years and who are now being offered an amnesty from prosecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31210/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the Government's recent statement at the Front Line conference in Dublin that the public have a right to know where Irish taxpayers' money is being spent and that there should be a linkage between aid money and performance he will provide information on where the Irish Government's contribution of €390,000 to the Colombian Government is being spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31211/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.

Ireland has committed €390,000 over a three-year period to the Organisation of American States, OAS, peace and verification mission in Colombia. Sweden and the Netherlands are also funding the mission, the mandate of which is to provide comprehensive support to the Colombian peace process, with a focus both on demobilisation and on the strengthening of institutions concerned with the rule of law. This is in addition to the support of just under €1 million that we are providing to civil society in Colombia through Christian Aid and Trócaire.

The EU has consistently stressed the need for a negotiated peace settlement in Colombia and called for illegal armed groups to demobilise. It has confirmed its readiness and that of its member states to assist the Colombian Government and civil society in the provision of support for communities affected by the internal conflict. It has also called on all parties to the conflict to respect human rights and international humanitarian law and commended the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNHCHR, in Colombia.

Most recently, Ireland was actively involved in the negotiation of the conclusions on Columbia adopted by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 3 October 2005. The Conclusions principally address the recently passed Justice and Peace Law, which provides an overall legal framework for demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed groups into society. They also welcome the involvement of the OAS in supporting the demobilisation of paramilitary groups.

The issues involved in such questions are complex and difficult. I am well aware of the human rights questions which arise in Colombia and of the criticisms of the Justice and Peace Law. In such situations, a balance has to be struck between justice and peace. The law reflects a number of such balances, including giving sufficient incentives to illegal armed groups to disarm and demobilise, while also requiring truth and reparations for the victims as well as the punishment of those who have committed crimes. It should also be borne in mind that the Justice and Peace Law has come about as a result of a lengthy democratic parliamentary process.

Within Columbia itself there are undoubtedly varying views on the peace process. Significant domestic supporters of the peace process include the Catholic Church, representatives of which have said that the Justice and Peace Law, despite its imperfections, has many positive points and that the key will lie in proper implementation of its provisions. Foreign Minister Barco welcomed Ireland's support when I met her in New York on 19 September 2005, while being very open about the challenges facing the process in the period ahead.

At its 61st session held in April 2005 in Geneva, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights adopted the chair's statement on the situation of human rights in Colombia. This found that, in 2004, illegal armed groups were responsible for the vast majority of criminal acts and breaches of international humanitarian law in Colombia. It is disturbing, despite the peace process which has seen many thousands hand in their weapons, that there continue to be credible allegations that paramilitaries remain involved in this type of action. However I am convinced, and this is also the assessment of our EU partners as reflected in the text of the conclusions that, if implemented effectively and in a transparent manner, the new law will have a positive effect on peace-building in Colombia. At the same time, we are urging the prompt implementation by the Colombian Government of the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights.