Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the progress that has been made in the African Union initiative in encouraging political dialogue in Zimbabwe; the amount of development aid allocated to projects in this country since 2002; the type of projects funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27916/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my answer given on Thursday 29 June 2006 regarding the African Union (AU) initiative on political dialogue with Zimbabwe. Since then, I understand that former President Mkapa of Tanzania has been appointed mediator. The Zimbabwean Government failed to co-operate with President Chissano's efforts and, in 2005, refused even to facilitate a visit by Mr. TomNyanduga, an earlier appointee to the post. This attitude is highly regrettable. Nonetheless, I fervently hope that this new attempt will yield positive results. I note that UN Secretary General Annan met with President Mugabe on the occasion of the AU summit in Banjul, The Gambia on 1-2 July. They agreed that President Mkapa should be given time and space to do his work. The Government, with our EU partners, will continue to work with all those in the international community seeking to promote democratic change in Zimbabwe. I would encourage the AU and its member States to continue to use what influence they have to urge the Zimbabwean government to alter its current failed policies and move to a path of internal dialogue and peaceful, democratic change in Zimbabwe. Senior officials from my Department availed of recent political consultations with South Africa in Pretoria on 22-23 June to outline the serious concerns which we have regarding Zimbabwe.

Ireland has committed approximately €16 million in aid to Zimbabwe since 2002. Despite the difficult operating environment, we will continue to deliver assistance directly to those most in need, through a broad range of civil and aid organisations. I also welcome the increased engagement by the UN Security Council and the efforts of Secretary General Annan and his Humanitarian Co-ordinator, Jan Egeland, to highlight the serious humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe. Funding support of €11,527,000 has been provided for humanitarian operations in Zimbabwe since 2002. This funding has been provided to a number of Non-Governmental Organisations, including Concern, Goal and Trócaire, as well as United Nations organisations working to alleviate humanitarian suffering in that country. Zimbabwe is also one of the countries most affected by HIV/Aids with an estimated 25% of the population infected. Life expectancy has fallen below 40. Since 2002 Ireland has provided €4.5 million to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, through partnerships with aid agencies and civil society organisations.