Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which stability is being restored in Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20025/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Liberia has made remarkable progress since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of August 2003. The parliamentary and presidential elections held in October 2005 marked the return of democracy to the country after 14 years of civil war. However, like other countries in the Mano River region, Liberia's stability remains fragile and could be adversely affected by political developments in neighbouring Sierra Leone, Guinea or Côte d'Ivoire.

Minister of State for Development and Human Rights, Conor Lenihan T.D., met with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Monrovia on 30 March 2006. President Johnson-Sirleaf has pledged to root out corruption, a key destabilising factor in Liberia, and indicated her full support for the Governance Economic Management Assistance Programme (GEMAP). Under this programme, international assistance is offered in monitoring key ministries and state organs, including all state expenditure for the next three years.

The UN mission in Liberia (UNMIL) plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and stability of Liberia. Ireland has participated in UNMIL since November 2003, contributing two-thirds of a Quick Reaction Force (QRF), the other third being provided by Sweden. The Irish contingent comprises a motorized infantry battalion of some 426 personnel, together with a small number of additional personnel deployed at Force Headquarters. The UN Secretary-General has written to the Taoiseach requesting that Ireland consider postponing the withdrawal of its troops from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for a period of at least six months beyond the planned withdrawal date of November 2006. The Taoiseach has replied indicating that the Government will give positive consideration to extending the presence of our troops in Liberia to May 2007.

In 2005, Ireland provided some €2.5 million in funding for projects in areas such as health care, education, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and rehabilitation projects for ex-soldiers, and electoral assistance. Support to Liberia in 2006 continues to focus on basic recovery programmes reflecting the substantial humanitarian and recovery needs. Funding to date in 2006 is €4 million.

The arrest and trial of the former president of Liberia, Charles Taylor, will also contribute to the long-term stability of Sierra Leone. On 29 March, Taylor was arrested by Nigerian border guards while trying to flee from exile in Nigeria. He was immediately transferred by air to Liberia and onwards to Freetown, Sierra Leone where he was given into the custody of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) by Irish members of UNMIL, in line with their mandate. On 3 April he appeared before the Court and entered a not guilty plea in response to the 11 charges against him. The Court has requested that the trial be held in the Netherlands amidst concerns about the regional instability Taylor's presence in Freetown could cause. The trial will take place in any case under the jurisdiction of the SCSL. In 2005-2006, Ireland has provided nearly €1.5 million in support to the SCSL.