Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the political and security situation in East Timor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25129/06]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the position in East Timor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25249/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in East Timor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25478/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 68 and 164 together.

The crisis in Timor-Leste erupted in late April with the dismissal of some 600 soldiers, a third of the armed forces. Ensuing violence cost at least 37 lives and drove some 10-15% of people from their homes into makeshift camps. The security situation in Timor-Leste has been brought under control but the country remains tense. There are continuing sporadic disturbances, now mainly involving disaffected youth. The two Irish staff members in the Irish Representation Office in Dili, who had been temporarily withdrawn to Darwin, have now returned to their posts in Dili.

The political front remains tense and unpredictable. Prime Minister Alkatiri resigned on Monday last, 26 June, after several days of political demonstrations. President Gusmão, who had assumed increasing day-to-day responsibility, had requested the resignation. A meeting of the State Council, a Presidential advisory committee, took place on 27 June to discuss the next steps. The President extended the period of the state of crisis and his responsibility for defence and security matters. He also announced that he would take immediate steps towards forming a new government but did not rule out dissolving parliament and holding elections if this was not possible.

The impact of the recent disturbances on the people of Timor-Leste is a matter of deep concern to the Government. The Timor-Leste Government and the United Nations (UN) have indicated that the priority needs are for food, emergency shelter, water and sanitation facilities, health services and protection of vulnerable groups, particularly, the elderly, women and children. In response to the urgent need for assistance, the Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, Mr Conor Lenihan T.D., announced on 23 June emergency funding of €500,000 for humanitarian relief in Timor-Leste. This funding is in addition to our longer term commitment to provide assistance through Irish Aid's development aid programme. It will enable our partner organisations in the UN, the Red Cross and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to implement the emergency response on the ground, and assist the displaced populations with food, emergency shelter and basic needs.

A declaration, adopted at the European Council on 16 June, expressed the EU's deep concern over the situation in Timor-Leste, urged all parties to refrain from any further violence and called for the re-establishment of political dialogue, security and public order conducive to a return to normalcy in the country. The declaration also stated the EU's belief that the UN continues to have a leading role to play and that the agreement of a mandate for a new and robust UN Mission, responding to the expectations of the Timorese on the facilitation of political dialogue and reconciliation as well as on the restoration and maintenance of security, would be of major importance in ensuring that the 2007 elections will be peaceful, free and fair.

The UN Security Council (SECCO) held an open meeting on 13 June at which it heard from the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Ian Martin, who ended a 9 day visit to Timor-Leste on 7 June and also from Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Ramos Horta. SECCO has agreed a short extension of the current residual UN Mission's — UNOTIL — mandate, which had been due to expire on 20 June, to allow time for the SG to prepare a report, in early August, on options for a future UN role. Ian Martin returned to Timor-Leste on 26 June to lead an assessment mission to plan the next stage of UN assistance to Timor-Leste and also to assist in the resolution of the present crisis. In line with our long-standing commitment to Timor-Leste, Ireland fully supports a continued UN role, in the light, of course, of the UN's own assessment.

Ireland's involvement in Timor-Leste began in the period leading to independence. Humanitarian and reconstruction assistance was provided in the aftermath of Indonesian withdrawal in 1999. In March 2003, Timor-Leste was designated as Ireland's first programme country in Asia and a long-term development strategy was put in place, with a focus on nation-building and poverty reduction and on supporting the implementation of Timor-Leste's National Development Plan.

Ireland is committed to supporting the Government and people of Timor-Leste in achieving their long-term development goals. A new Irish Aid development strategy was recently approved for the period 2006-2008 with a budget of over €19 million. It continues the emphasis on support for capacity building, for local development, and for the promotion of human rights and gender equality.