Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, apart from funding earmarked for Cuban Government agencies, UN agencies or Trócaire, his attention has been drawn to the planned funding of Cuban or Cuba-orientated non-governmental organisations by the Exchequer under the Irish Aid programme or otherwise; and if he discussed or is scheduled to discuss, the funding of such groups with his European Union colleagues. [14852/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Aid Programme has a clear focus on reducing poverty in some of the poorest countries of the world, including funding through Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other agencies for development programmes and projects. Funding has been channelled to alleviate poverty in Cuba through the UN and Trócaire. There are currently no additional funding requests for Cuba.

Although the EU 1996 Common Position on Cuba does allow for certain assistance to Cuba through NGOs or on humanitarian grounds in order to facilitate peaceful change in Cuba, I am not aware of any current plans for such EU funding nor of any plans among Member States to discuss such funding.