Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he expects to motivate the international community to address the ongoing issues in the Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19080/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in the ecologically and politically fragile region of the Horn of Africa is a high priority for Ireland, the EU and the United Nations. The problems faced by the countries of the region include the ongoing conflicts in Darfur and Somalia; a prolonged stalemate in the Ethiopia-Eritrea peace process; and the need to rebuild southern Sudan following decades of civil war. At a regional level, there are major development challenges such as recurrent food security problems, environmental degradation, severe infrastructural weaknesses and poor governance. These issues are being addressed through a combination of political initiatives, peace-keeping operations, and emergency, humanitarian and development assistance.

The UN Security Council regularly discusses Horn of Africa issues, and the UN Secretary General has described the crisis in Darfur as his top priority. UN agencies such as UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR and UNDP are working to address the humanitarian and development needs of the region. There are currently two UN peacekeeping missions in the Horn of Africa — UNMEE on the Ethiopia-Eritrea border and UNMIS in Sudan. The UN and African Union are working together to try to get negotiations started between the parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement and non-signatory rebel groups. Meanwhile, there have been encouraging indications that Sudan may accept the deployment of a UN-AU hybrid force in Darfur.

I have set out the situations regarding Sudan and Somalia in some detail in my replies to PQs numbers 86, 90 and 164. The EU is one of the Witnesses of the 2000 Algiers Peace Agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The European Commission's October 2006 Communication on 'EU partnership for peace, security and development in the Horn of Africa' sets out a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention in the region. In 2004, the last year for which there are complete figures, total European Commission development aid to the six Horn of Africa countries amounted to over €240 million. The European Commission intends to make over €60 million available for security, reconciliation and governance in Somalia in the coming months.

Addressing the problems of the Horn of Africa, and especially in Darfur, is a priority for me personally. I travelled to Sudan and to Ethiopia in July 2006 to see the situation on the ground for myself. In my contacts with the Sudanese Foreign Minister then, and again in September 2006, I highlighted the need for meaningful action to bring peace and security to Darfur, and to protect the delivery of humanitarian aid to the vulnerable. In recent contacts with Egypt, South Africa, the Arab League, the UN and the US, I have urged them to use their influence with the Sudanese Government for the same purpose.

Ireland also supports the development of the Horn of Africa region through our aid programme. Ethiopia is one of Irish Aid's priority countries, and Irish bilateral aid to Ethiopia was about €30 million in 2006, focused at improving the lives of the rural poor. Total Irish Aid emergency and humanitarian funding to the Horn of Africa since 2004 comes to nearly €48 million. This includes over €20 million for Darfur.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his most recent proposals in the context of motivating the international community towards addressing the AIDS issue in Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19082/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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HIV/AIDS continues to be the single biggest obstacle to reducing poverty and to attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Current statistics from the United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) indicate that, in 2006, almost 40 million people were living with the HIV virus. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the worst-affected region in the world and is now home to over 25 million adults and children living with HIV. Infection rates are increasing in other regions also, with some countries in Eastern Europe and central Asia recording the highest rates of new infections worldwide.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is impeding development and leading to an increase in poverty. It generally affects the most productive and economically-active members of society and serves to further disadvantage those people most vulnerable to infection — such as migrant workers, women and adolescents.

Responding to the global problem of HIV/AIDS is a key priority for the Government. This commitment is very clearly outlined in the White Paper on Irish Aid, which was published last September. Following the commitment made by the Taoiseach in his speech to the United Nations in September 2005, funding for HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases has doubled to over €100 million in 2007. These funds are directed at programmes at international, regional and country level, to provide increased access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services.

Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, earlier this year confirmed that Ireland is one of the leaders in the global response to HIV/AIDS. He commended, in particular, Ireland's leadership in tackling HIV-related stigma and discrimination through the 'Stamp out Stigma Campaign' which was launched by the Taoiseach on World AIDS Day, December 1st 2006.

Ireland continues to promote the need for leadership and engagement at the highest political level internationally, in order to reverse the trend of this pandemic. Ireland is leading by example in strongly supporting global efforts to address HIV/AIDS and its impact. Ireland's support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) is one such example, with contributions over the period 2002-2007 amounting to €80 million.

Significant achievements are being made though the programmes of the Global Fund with over 700,000 men, women and children now accessing HIV treatment and many more people having access to essential HIV prevention and care services.

Earlier this year, Ireland signed a new cooperation agreement with UNAIDS. Under the terms of this agreement, Ireland will commit €30 million over the next five years and cooperate with UNAIDS in strengthening global leadership and improving the effectiveness of comprehensive HIV programmes at country level.

In countries such as Tanzania, Ethiopia and Zambia, Ireland works with governments and non governmental organisations (NGOs) to strengthen national responses and improve access to essential HIV services. In Mozambique and Lesotho, and in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, Ireland has increased levels of assistance to improve the accessibility of HIV treatment in rural areas — in particular to benefit women and children.

Ireland will continue to work with the international community in advocating for a sustained and resourced global response to HIV/AIDS, strengthened leadership at all levels, and improved coordination of resources for effective HIV/AIDS prevention and control.