Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken to reprimand the Government of Sudan for its failure to protect the life and property of people in the Darfur region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17762/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is gravely concerned about the plight of the vulnerable people of the Darfur region of Sudan. In cooperation with our international partners, we continue to pursue all possible avenues to provide them with increased security and support.

In my direct contacts with the Sudanese Foreign Minister in July and September 2006, I called on his Government to agree to UN engagement in peacekeeping in Darfur, and emphasised the need to make political progress on foot of the Darfur Peace Agreement of May 2006. I also pushed for improved humanitarian access in Darfur to avert further tragic consequences. I have continued to make these points in meetings I have had with states and organisations capable of influencing Sudan, including the United States, Egypt, the Arab League and the UN. I have consistently underlined Ireland's support for a genuine ceasefire, a renewed political process and an effective AU/UN hybrid peacekeeping force. On 26 March 2007, I stated publicly that in the absence of full co-operation between the Government of Sudan and the United Nations, Ireland supports urgent consideration in the UN Security Council of further measures against the Government of Sudan.

Ireland has worked unceasingly with our EU partners to ensure protection for the victims of the Darfur crisis. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 18 June 2007, EU Foreign Ministers condemned the Government of Sudan's renewed bombing of civilians, and again noted that the EU is ready to consider further measures (notably in the UN framework) to ensure humanitarian deliveries and the protection of civilians. We stated that those violating the human rights of civilians must be held responsible, and urged the Government of Sudan to comply with the arrest warrants that the International Criminal Court issued in May against two individuals accused of committing atrocities in Darfur.

Ireland also supports the UN Human Rights Council's work on human rights abuses in Darfur. We actively supported the holding of a UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Darfur earlier this year, as well as the dispatch of a Human Rights Council fact-finding mission to Darfur. The Government supported the decision on 30 March 2007 to establish a high level UN group to work with Sudan on implementing core recommendations in Darfur. These efforts have increased the pressure for improvements on the ground.

Although progress remains slow, pressure by the international community has produced some results. The Government of Sudan's statement on 12 June that it accepts the AU/UN hybrid mission is a step in the right direction. The hybrid mission, as described in the joint AU/UN report of 5 June 2007, will be very substantial, will be managed in line with UN standards and will have a mandate to protect civilians from violent attacks, facilitate humanitarian access and contribute to the restoration of security. It is hoped that this force will bring some respite for the people of Sudan while work in pursuit of a political solution continues.

Recognising the urgent need to sustain and strengthen the African Union AMIS force in advance of the establishment the UN/AU hybrid force, Ireland has committed €5 million to support its efforts to protect the vulnerable in Darfur. Three members of the Permanent Defence Forces also serve with the EU support mission for AMIS. In addition to our work on protection and security, the Government has been striving to meet the human needs of the victims of violent attacks and those who have been forced to flee their homes. Since 2006, Irish Aid has provided a total of over €25 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan, through international organisations and through Irish and international NGOs.