Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Liberation Tigers who held discussions in February 2006 to bring about a more peaceful situation in the country, particularly in view of an apparent naval suicide attack by the Tamil Tigers group which was recently reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter focusing on such suggestions Ireland has to make at European level to try to help this position. [13118/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland and our partners in the European Union take a close interest in the situation in Sri Lanka. The European Union, in a statement on 27 January, welcomed the agreement by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to hold talks in Geneva on 22 and 23 February. It expressed its firm hope that the talks would help stabilise the situation in Sri Lanka and lead to a peaceful solution of the conflict. It also reiterated its full support for Norway's role as facilitator of the peace process.

Following the Geneva talks, which were held as planned, the co-chairs of the Tokyo donor conference, the European Union, Japan, Norway and the United States, welcomed the renewed commitment from the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to respect and uphold the ceasefire agreement. The co-chairs further welcomed the parties' commitment to ensure that there would be no violence, killings and operations by armed groups, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. The co-chairs stressed the importance of the parties implementing these commitments on the ground so as to build confidence and an environment conducive to progressing towards lasting peace for all the peoples of Sri Lanka. The co-chairs said that they stood ready to assist Norway in its efforts to bring about a durable peace in Sri Lanka.

The European Union will continue to do its utmost to help the parties along the road of negotiation. I am pleased that the level of violence has reduced since the meeting in February and I hope that the next round of talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE, in Geneva on 19 to 21 April, will lead to renewed efforts by all sides to work towards a lasting peace. Since the December 2004 tsunami disaster, Ireland has supported the activities of seven non-governmental organisations engaged in relief and recovery work in Sri Lanka as well as various UN agencies, the International Organisation for Migrants and the International Committee of the Red Cross. To date, in excess of €4.7 million has been allocated by Ireland to relief and recovery activities in Sri Lanka.