Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the pro-democracy initiatives which are funded by his Department in different parts of the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25124/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's programme of assistance to developing countries reflects our longstanding commitment to human rights and fairness in international relations and the recognition that democratisation, good governance and the promotion of human rights are as important as economic policy and reform for reducing poverty and achieving development.

Support to good governance and democratisation is now a major priority area of expenditure in the development cooperation programme, accounting for over €103 million in 2005 — up from €88 million in 2004. This included support for pro-democracy initiatives in twenty-four countries worldwide in the areas of: support for NGO-based pro-democracy initiatives (five countries); support for election monitoring (thirteen countries); and support through the country programme budget of Irish Aid in the priority programme countries (six countries). Support for NGO-based pro-democracy initiatives: Examples of the type of programme supported include: In Sierra Leone, €116,000 was disbursed in 2005 to support democratisation through the "Accountability in Local Government Initiative", which seeks to encourage citizens to take an active role in local development planning, local government meetings and the preparation and monitoring of budgets.

In Peru, €314,342 was provided from 2004 to 2006 for a project which aims to contribute to the human development, democratisation and construction of a culture of peace in indigenous communities affected by the armed conflict.

In The Philippines , €234,439 was granted from 2004 to 2005 for a project aimed at "Strengthening the democratic processes in Local Government".

In South Africa, Ireland supports prominent NGOs such as the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, the Human Rights Foundation and the South Africa Institute for Democracy. Support for Election Monitoring: In 2005, 60 monitors participated in 13 international election missions, mainly through the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union. These missions were to Albania, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Liberia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, Sri Lanka and Venezuela. Expenditure in 2005 was €110,074.

In 2006, 57 election monitors have so far participated in 11 international election missions in Palestine, Ukraine, Uganda, Belarus, Haiti, Fiji, Republic of Montenegro (Serbia & Montenegro), Bolivia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nicaragua and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Irish Aid support in the bilateral country programmes Good Governance is a key component in all of Irish Aid's bilateral country programmes. In Uganda, €7 million is being provided for assistance for governance initiatives, including support to the Justice, Law and Order Sector, targeted at improving citizens' access to justice, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, and an anti-corruption group. In Mozambique, five main areas are being supported: justice; democratisation; Human Rights; anti-corruption and civil society participation, for a total of €2.75 million. Support to local governance initiatives in Tanzania will total €5.7 million. In Timor-Leste (East Timor), €300,000 was provided in 2005 for governance initiatives including support to government and civil society organisations to promote democracy and human rights. In Vietnam, €950,000 was given in 2005 to support local government, assist in legal development and strengthen the capacity of the National Assembly and People's elected bodies in the interests of increasing transparency and accountability. Governance is a major area of emphasis in Ireland's assistance to Ethiopia. In 2005, €4.5 million supported strengthening of the public sector, civil service reform, Parliamentary institutions, local NGOs active on Human Rights issues and prisoner support organisations.