Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dealings Ireland has with Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25429/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe on a non-resident basis. The Irish Ambassador in Pretoria is accredited to Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwean Ambassador in London is accredited to Ireland. Our bilateral ties reflect the friendship which Ireland holds for the Zimbabwean people, and our shared historical experience. These ties also give us an opportunity to discuss issues of concern as they arise. The situation in Zimbabwe is a matter of significant concern here in Ireland and to me personally, and Ireland is among those EU Member States which have most strongly condemned human rights abuses and urged political and economic reform in Zimbabwe.

The Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs raised Ireland's concerns about the failed political and economic policies of President Mugabe's Government with Zimbabwean officials in Harare in June 2007, and also had talks on with senior members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). The Irish Ambassador accredited to Zimbabwe has regularly expressed to Zimbabwean interlocutors the Irish Government's deep concern about the situation there. He most recently met Zimbabwean officials during a visit to Harare in September 2007. The Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria monitors allegations of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and raises issues of concern in relation to human rights and governance with the Zimbabwean Government at all levels and at every available opportunity.

There have been no political-level visits exchanged between the two countries in recent years. In accordance with the EU Common Position on Zimbabwe, Member States are obliged to prevent the entry into their territories of named persons, including senior Zimbabwean politicians and President Mugabe himself.

The Irish Government, through Irish Aid, provides assistance for humanitarian purposes and for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. These programmes have a direct and positive effect on the lives of thousands of poor Zimbabwean people. Irish Aid works in partnership with missionaries, NGOs — including Concern, Goal and Trócaire, and local civil society organisations –and international organisations. Ireland does not provide funding to the Zimbabwean Government. Total Irish Aid funding to the people of Zimbabwe since the start of 2006 amounts to €18.4 million, covering areas such food relief, school feeding programmes, support to those displaced by government urban clearance programmes, healthcare provision, home-based care for those living with HIV/AIDS, human rights and gender equality.

The Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria estimates that there are now approximately three thousand Irish citizens resident in Zimbabwe. Staff from the Embassy meet with members of the Irish community, Irish religious, and Irish NGOs during their regular visits to the country. In 2006, Emigrant Services funding of €20,000 was given to two Irish community organisations in Zimbabwe, to cover the costs of organising Irish community events and the alleviation of some of the most acute welfare problems affecting sick and elderly Irish citizens. I have nominated Mr. Gary Killilea to act as Ireland's Honorary Consul in Zimbabwe. His appointment will facilitate better access to consular advice and documentation for all Irish citizens resident there.

Trade between Ireland and Zimbabwe is at an extremely low level, amounting to only €2.2 million in 2006. An important element in this total was Irish exports of medical and pharmaceutical products. I am not aware of any Irish companies active in the Zimbabwean market, and I would not expect this situation to change in the foreseeable future.