Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position taken by the Government regarding the EU decision to withdraw funding from the Palestinian National Authority; if the Government intend to lobby to have this decision rescinded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16659/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which I attended in Luxembourg on 10 April, reviewed the situation in the Middle East Peace Process in the light of the approval of a new Government by the Palestinian Legislative Council and the outcome of the general elections in Israel. It was agreed that the EU would review its assistance against the new Government's commitment to the principles set out by the Council and by the international Quartet on 30 January 2006. These entail renunciation of violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist, and acceptance of existing agreements and obligations, including those of the Road Map for a lasting and peaceful two-State solution.

The Council noted that the absence of commitment to these principles will inevitably affect direct assistance to the Government. Since early April, the Commission has temporarily suspended its direct payments to the Government. However, the Council emphasised that the EU will continue to provide necessary assistance to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian population. In the review process which is now underway, Ireland will press for a flexible and wide-ranging interpretation of what constitutes this necessary assistance.

The EU has consistently been the strongest supporter of the Palestinian people internationally, providing vital humanitarian assistance and supporting the building of the democratic institutions of a future State. The Union has emphasised its continuing strong support for President Mahmoud Abbas, the highest representative of the Palestinian Authority. Positive movement is now required from the Hamas Government to respect the peace process, and serve the interests of the Palestinian people.

The Council also urged Israel to meet its responsibilities and to take steps to improve the humanitarian and economic situation of the Palestinians, including resumption of transfers of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues.

The Government will continue to do all that is within our capacity to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, while taking full account of the wider political realities. We are strongly committed to continuing Ireland's bilateral assistance, with particular emphasis on meeting humanitarian needs. Our bilateral assistance amounted to over €4 million in 2005, and I have made it clear that we are determined to maintain the overall volume in 2006. In response to an appeal from the UN, the Government has already provided €1.5 million in assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the period since the Palestinian elections.

Both nationally, and in cooperation with our EU partners, the Government will continue to promote the negotiation of a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the coexistence of two viable, sovereign and independent States.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on following the example of the Belgian Government in financially supporting projects related to the justice and peace legal process in Colombia. [16662/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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A number of European Union Member States, including Ireland, have given financial support to initiatives aimed at ensuring the effective and transparent implementation of the Justice and Peace Law, which provides an overall legal framework for demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed groups into Colombian society.

In this regard, I announced in June 2005 a commitment to contribute €390,000 over a three year period to the Organisation of American States' (OAS) peace and verification mission in Colombia, the first tranche of which (€130,000) was released that month. The mission's mandate is to provide comprehensive support to the Colombian peace process, with a focus both on the demobilisation process and on the strengthening of institutions concerned with the rule of law. I also attach the highest priority to the human rights dimension of the OAS mission's role. With this in mind, an additional €130,000 was given to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in December 2005 for the independent monitoring of human rights issues in support of the mission.