Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 460: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); the action he has taken or is proposing to take to deal with the issue; the meetings he has had with his fellow Ministers within the EU; the meetings he has had with his ambassadors or consuls within the region on the matters of concern raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26970/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 461: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concern regarding the actions of the Ethiopian Government as part of their ongoing conflict with the Ogaden National Liberation Front, the occupation of Somalia and famine in southern Ethiopia; his views, in the circumstances, on whether it is appropriate for Ireland to continue offering bilateral aid to Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27094/08]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 465: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27409/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 460, 461 and 465 together.

The situation in the ethnic Somali Ogaden region of Ethiopia has deteriorated sharply in the last six months. The conflict between the Ethiopian Government and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) is causing serious hardship for the mainly pastoralist and nomadic people of the region, whose livelihoods have been disrupted. Aid agencies are concerned at the restrictions on humanitarian access to this conflict and drought-affected region. While the Government of Ethiopia has an overriding responsibility to restore order in this troubled region, it should do all it can to minimise the impact of the conflict on ordinary people, and to ensure full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. On several occasions, both in Addis Ababa and in Dublin, we have conveyed to the Ethiopian authorities Ireland's concern about the reports we have received in relation to the Ogaden region. We will continue to highlight these concerns until the situation is resolved. Ireland has also taken the lead in pressing for the EU to engage with Ethiopia in relation to this situation, given the EU's importance as a partner for Ethiopia, and our shared commitment to the well-being and development of the Ethiopian people.

Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, and despite an initial period of stability after Ethiopian troops and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces defeated the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) in December 2006, the situation has worsened in recent months. Fighting in Mogadishu has prompted many thousands to flee the capital, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis caused by drought. As recently as 9 June the TFG signed the Djibouti agreement with a key opposition group, which calls for a cessation of hostilities and the eventual withdrawal of Ethiopian troops, when circumstances allow. However, a number of other armed groups are active in Somalia, and the security situation in Mogadishu and surrounding areas remains extremely poor. In response to killings of Ethiopian soldiers, Ethiopian and TFG forces have attacked militants in densely-populated civilian areas, causing civilian casualties and people to flee.

The situation in Somalia is regularly discussed by EU Foreign Ministers, and Conclusions adopted by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 May called for unimpeded humanitarian access for relief agencies in Somalia and urged all parties to comply fully with international humanitarian law. Most recently, when my EU colleagues and I discussed Somalia on 16 June, we expressed support for the 9 June Djibouti Peace Agreement, and reiterated the urgent need to keep up the momentum of inclusive dialogue for a sustained political solution to the situation in Somalia.

In relation to assistance to Ethiopia, I believe that Irish Aid funding makes a real and tangible difference to the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people there. Our assistance to Ethiopia, delivered through national systems and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as Concern, GOAL, Trócaire and Self Help Development International, together with aid delivered through UN agencies, continues to protect the poor and provides them with the most basic social services such as primary health care and education.

Our aid programmes are also carefully monitored by our Embassy staff on the ground, and are externally evaluated in accordance with established practice. Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world and it is a difficult environment in which to work, although it has made remarkable progress in recent years. For all these reasons, and because availability of food is likely to remain a major concern during the coming months, I believe it is right to remain engaged in Ethiopia, in close cooperation with our donor partners. Every day our support is saving lives, helping to rebuild livelihoods and giving hope to some of the most vulnerable people in Ethiopia. I would also note that in our contacts with the Ethiopian opposition, they have made it clear that they do not believe that our aid programme should be cut.