Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on continued reported human rights abuses perpetrated in Zimbabwe, as documented by Amnesty International, as well as the renewed detention of a political opponent of the country's President ahead of a recent planned rally focussing on the need for political reform in the country; if the EU has had input into, or information from, South African led talks aimed at changing Zimbabwe's media security and electoral laws; if so what these consisted of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3683/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will summarise what was discussed at the Lisbon Summit in December 2007 on the subject of Zimbabwe. [3982/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which at EU or UN level attention is drawn to the ongoing situation in Zimbabwe; the plans, proposals or suggestions arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4180/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 222 and 228 together.

The situation in Zimbabwe remains grave. In addition to pervasive and very serious economic hardships, it is reported that political opponents of the Government and civil society activists continue to be beaten and tortured by police. The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, was one of several opposition activists arrested on 23 January 2008 in Harare following government attempts to ban an opposition march, though Mr. Tsvangirai was later released without charge. Such actions underline the pervasive atmosphere of intimidation and violence which exists towards those who seek change in the country.

Ireland and the EU believe that African leadership is the key to encouraging progress towards economic and political stability. We support the talks between the government and opposition in Zimbabwe which are being mediated by President Mbeki under a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mandate. I understand that media and security laws, as well as preparations for the March elections, are among the issues being discussed. The EU has no direct involvement in these talks though a representative of High Representative Solana did discuss their progress with AU, SADC and South African representatives in early December.

The Taoiseach discussed the progress of the SADC initiative with President Mbeki when they met in Pretoria on 15 January. The Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Kitt, also attended the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon in December at which the EU's concerns regarding the current situation in Zimbabwe were clearly articulated by Chancellor Merkel and High Representative Solana on behalf of the Union.

Implementation of any agreement reached will of course be crucial, and must bring about real policy change. The Zimbabwean people must have a chance to express their will without fear in the elections which have been announced for 29 March. Unfortunately, in the current environment we can have no confidence that Zimbabweans will have this chance. The appointment of an independent electoral commission, reform of the voter registration lists, the halting of political oppression and violence, free media access and the deployment of impartial election observers would be important steps towards ensuring that these elections are free and fair. There appears to be little prospect that such steps will be possible in the time available.

Ireland will continue to be active in relation to Zimbabwe, including condemning human rights abuses and urging political and economic reform. Our Embassy in Pretoria monitors allegations of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, and raises issues of concern with the Zimbabwean government at every available opportunity. Ireland has also supported raising the situation in Zimbabwe at the UN Human Rights Council. It is important to maintain pressure on the Zimbabwean Government to address the gravely irresponsible economic policies and appalling human rights situation in that country and, in that regard, last month Ireland fully supported the renewal for a further year of the EU Common Position on Zimbabwe, which provides for restrictive measures against the régime.

Irish Aid continues to provide support to alleviate the sufferings of the Zimbabwean people, amounting to over €17 million in 2006 and 2007, and already in 2008 a further €1.1 million has been disbursed. Our contribution is channelled through UN agencies which are active in Zimbabwe such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF, as well as local and international NGOs, and Irish missionaries. Ireland stands ready to respond appropriately to any positive change in Zimbabwe.