Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the US Government is dictating Irish foreign policy towards Cuba; and if the US embassy in Dublin had a role in his refusing to meet a person (details supplied) who exposed American aggression towards the Cuban people. [7220/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I entirely reject the premise underlying the Deputy's question. As I have informed him in response to his previous Parliamentary Questions on Cuba, the European Union's Common Position on Cuba, negotiated during our 1996 EU Presidency, is at the core of Ireland's policy. The overriding objective of Ireland and our EU partners in our relations with Cuba is to encourage — and not to enforce by external coercion — a process of transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The European Union believes that critical engagement with the Cuban Government, alongside dialogue with wider Cuban civil society, is the most effective way to promote peaceful change in Cuba.

The validity of the 1996 Common Position was most recently reaffirmed by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 12 June 2006. The European Union has emphasised its willingness to cooperate with Cuba on the basis of a dialogue with the Cuban Government and Cuban civil society, as soon as the Cuban Government shows the political will to engage in a dialogue aiming at tangible results, especially in the field of human rights and political freedom, the restriction of which remains a matter of deep concern. In this regard, I would again urge the Cuban Government to release all prisoners of conscience and to respect internationally acknowledged principles and practices, including in respect of judicial process.

I would also recall that Ireland, along with our EU partners, again voted on 8 November, 2006 in the United Nations General Assembly in favour of the annual Cuban-tabled resolution related to ending the US economic embargo, since it is our view that the embargo seriously hampers the economic development of Cuba and negatively affects its entire people. The EU rejects unilateral measures against Cuba which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade.

The US Embassy in Dublin has not communicated with me or my Department on the visit of the named individual. I determine my own diary.

Fiona O'Malley (Dún Laoghaire, Progressive Democrats)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding matters in Darfur; and the pressure he is bringing to bear on UN intervention in the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7260/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The security situation in Darfur remains very unstable and worrying. Ceasefire violations by all parties, including banditry, inter-tribal conflicts and the bombing of civilian sites by the Sudanese airforce are undermining efforts to revitalise the peace process and have dire humanitarian consequences. The Government is making use of all avenues, bilaterally, through the EU and through the UN, to focus urgent international attention on the crisis in Darfur and work towards a resolution, and will continue to do so. During my visit to the Middle East this month I took the opportunity, while in Cairo, to discuss the situation in Darfur with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Aboul Gheit, and the Arab League Secretary-General, Amr Mussa, in an effort to revive momentum towards a resolution. I know the Oireachtas is also deeply concerned about this situation, as reflected in the all-party motion which was passed on 28 November 2006.

The UN and the African Union are coordinating international efforts to revitalise the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement and strengthen peacekeeping. The two organisations' Special Envoys for Darfur, Mr Jan Eliasson and Dr Salim Salim, are actively trying to get negotiations under way between the parties to this Agreement and non-signatory rebel groups. The international community must present a united front in demanding that the Sudanese Government and the rebel groups negotiate without preconditions. The EU, for its part, has implemented a comprehensive arms embargo against Sudan since 1994, and also applies individual sanctions against four individuals designated by the Security Council under Resolution 1591(2005).

I spoke on 24 January with the UN Special Envoy on Darfur, Mr. Jan Eliasson, about the situation in Darfur, and assured him of Ireland's support for his efforts and those of his UN colleagues, in terms of peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and work to revitalise the peace process. The UN's involvement is crucial to improving the situation on the ground in Darfur.

The African Union's ceasefire observation mission in Darfur (AMIS) is being strengthened in a phased manner with UN support, aiming towards deployment of a strong AU-UN hybrid force later this year. Already some 100 UN military, police and civilian personnel are in place, under the first phase of UN support. In December 2006 President Bashir of Sudan gave his approval in principle to this phased approach to strengthening AMIS. However, regrettably, he has not as yet specifically endorsed the deployment of the AU-UN hybrid force which is intended to be the third and final phase of the process. On 22 January and on 12 February, EU Foreign Ministers expressed their The African Union's ceasefire observation mission in Darfur (AMIS) is being strengthened in a phased manner with UN support, aiming towards deployment of a strong AU-UN hybrid force later this year. Already some 100 UN military, police and civilian personnel are in place, under the first phase of UN support. In December 2006 President Bashir of Sudan gave his approval in principle to this phased approach to strengthening AMIS. However, regrettably, he has not as yet specifically endorsed the deployment of the AU-UN hybrid force which is intended to be the third and final phase of the process. On 22 January and on 12 February, EU Foreign Ministers expressed their readiness to consider further measures, notably in the UN framework, against any party which obstructs implementation of the phased approach to strengthening AMIS and to establishing the AU-UN hybrid force.

The work of the UN Human Rights Council High-Level Assessment Mission to Darfur, which took up its task on 9 February, is of great importance in giving the international community a true picture of the impact of the conflict in Darfur on people's lives. It is worrying that all members of the mission were not given visas, and the Mission has thus been able to visit Sudan.

Since 2004, Ireland has provided over €16 million in emergency aid to Darfur, including €3 million for AMIS. A further €2.1 million in humanitarian support has been approved to date in 2007, and further financial support for AMIS is being considered. Three members of the Permanent Defence Forces serve in support of AMIS.

I will continue to avail of every possible opportunity to emphasise the urgent need for unhindered provision of humanitarian support to all those in need in Darfur, and the speedy deployment of a well- resourced peacekeeping operation under UN auspices with a strong mandate for protecting civilians. The present situation is simply unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue.