Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 900: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the further help Ireland will give to those facing death in Darfur; if emergency aid packages are being planned; and will Ireland support United Nations intervention. [28807/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 902: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives he plans to take to assist in the continuing conditions in Darfur, both through Ireland's membership of international bodies and by direct provision of resources or assistance. [29019/06]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 903: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he is taking to help bring about an improvement in the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29252/06]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 905: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position on the crisis in Darfur; if he will support the sending of troops by the EU as part of a UN mission to the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29346/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 900, 902, 903 and 905 together.

The Government is gravely concerned about the continuing humanitarian and political crisis in Darfur and is using all avenues to urge concerted international action to resolve the major humanitarian and political challenges which exist there.

Since the outbreak of violence in Darfur in 2003, Ireland has been providing extensive humanitarian assistance and support to the people of that region. In April 2005, I visited Darfur and saw at first hand both the huge humanitarian challenges on the ground and the sterling work being delivered by Irish NGOs, including Concern, Goal and Trócaire. On foot of my visit, I pledged €10 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan over two years. This pledge was fully met already earlier this year. In total, since 2004, Ireland has provided over €11 million in emergency aid to Darfur, including food and shelter assistance to displaced populations across the region. In response to the recent deterioration in the humanitarian situation, I have approved a further €1 million in humanitarian assistance for Sudan.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, visited Darfur last July to see conditions at first hand. He met with the Sudanese Foreign Minister and impressed on him the need to improve security, to remove any restrictions impeding humanitarian operations in the region, and to allow the transition to a UN peacekeeping force.

On 31 August 2006, the UN Security Council decided that a UN peace-keeping mission should be sent to Darfur, with a strong mandate for the protection of civilians and provision of security for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The establishment of such a Force was originally called for by the African Union and is fully supported by them. It is regrettable, and indeed unacceptable, that the Sudanese Government continues to oppose the deployment of this UN Force.

Until transition to a UN mission takes place, the force established by the African Union, AMIS, must be adequately supported politically, financially and technically by the international community. I welcome the decision taken on 20 September 2006 by the African Union to extend the mandate of AMIS until 31 December 2006. Ireland has contributed €3 million in support of the AMIS mission to date, including €1.5 million contributed last July to ensure that it has the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate through to the end of this year. Total EU support to AMIS since 2004 amounts to over €413 million.

The priority now for the international community is to exert effective pressure on the Sudanese Government to accept the transition of AMIS into a UN force. This is in Sudan's own best interests. The people of Darfur must be properly protected.

The issue of Darfur is very high on the agenda of the United Nations and the EU, and the Government is actively participating in deliberations. With our EU partners, we are also encouraging influential African countries and other States to convey similar strong messages to the authorities in Khartoum. The Minister for Foreign Affairs again strongly impressed this on his Sudanese counterpart when they met yesterday in New York.

Ultimately, the conflict in Darfur requires a political solution. The Darfur Peace Agreement provides a constructive and comprehensive basis for a lasting peaceful settlement in Darfur. I would urge those parties which have not yet signed the Darfur Peace Agreement to do so as soon as possible and commit to its full implementation.