Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Darfur; the steps currently being undertaken by the international community to help bring an end to this conflict; his views on the comprehensive peace agreement as a vehicle to bring about peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31729/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Sudan, in particular the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Darfur, progress in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the humanitarian consequences of the expulsion of thirteen international humanitarian agencies from the country, continue to be the focus of considerable international concern. Recent months have seen considerable engagement on these issues by the United Nations, by Sudan's regional neighbours through the African Union, by the US Government and by the European Union.

The Government remains extremely concerned with the kidnapping of Sharon Commins and Hilda Kiwuki and we are making every possible effort to ensure their safe release. The Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Sudan on the 6th and 7th of September to discuss with the Sudanese authorities the efforts that are being made to ensure safe return of Sharon and that of her colleague to their families and to impress upon the Sudanese authorities the serious concern with which the Irish government views the situation.

The persistence of the conflict in Darfur despite a number of ceasefires and peace agreements, coupled with the ongoing suffering of the people of the region, is a matter of grave concern. International efforts to bring an end to the conflict are being led by the joint AU-UN chief mediator, Djibril Bassolé, whose work Ireland fully supports. Progress in peace talks has been disappointingly slow. The "Agreement of Good Will and Confidence Building" signed in Doha in February by the Sudanese Government and the JEM rebel group falls far short of a full peace deal. The AU has established a High Level Panel on Darfur, under the chairmanship of former South African President Thabo Mbeki which has undertaken four missions to the region and is due to report by the end of this month. EU Special Representative Torben Brylle has also been active in efforts to bring peace to the region, including current efforts to expand participation in the next round of talks, which will be convened in Doha on 28 September. It is imperative and long overdue that all sides demonstrate the political will and commitment needed to resolve this long-running conflict.

Ireland, in common with the international community, fully supports the complete implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which brought an end to the north-south conflict in Sudan. There have been some positive developments in implementation in recent months, including the renewed engagement of the US and the ruling on the Abyei region in the Hague. The two unresolved issues that remain are the census and the referendum; however, there is cautious optimism that these issues can be resolved. Ireland welcomes the recent progress on the CPA and urges the parties involved to fulfil their outstanding commitments.

The decision by the ICC to issue an arrest warrant against President Bashir did initially heighten tensions in the region and the response of the Sudanese government in expelling 13 humanitarian NGOs, in March 2009, has made the humanitarian situation more precarious. These NGOs accounted for over 40 per cent of all aid in Sudan and the insistence of the Sudanese government that UN agencies and Sudanese NGOs can take over the work done by those expelled, remains to be proven.

Ireland has played an important part in the international response to the humanitarian situation in Sudan, providing over €50 million in funding for work in Sudan, including Darfur, since 2006. Along with our EU partners, we fully support the fundamental role played by the ICC in the promotion of international justice. Continued progress towards the full implementation of the CPA is imperative to avoid the risk of a destabilizing Sudan and its impact on the wider region.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in Afghanistan, particularly in view of reports of recent cases of widespread abductions of persons in that country. [31739/09]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on fears of widespread electoral fraud in the recent general election in Afghanistan; his further views on the possibility of vote rigging; and the response which the international community, in particular the EU, proposes to make. [31740/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 64 together.

I am concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. There has been a deterioration in the security environment marked in particular by frequent insurgent attacks throughout the country prior to and in the course of the elections held on 20 August and by the high number of casualties which these caused. The number of abductions is reportedly also increasing. The abduction and subsequent release on 9 September of the New York Times journalist, Stephen Farrell, an Irish citizen, brought this issue to public attention in recent days. I would like to express my condolences to the families of Sultan Munadi and Corporal John Harrison who were killed in the operation which freed Mr. Farrell.

Together with our EU partners, Ireland remains committed to strengthening the rule of law and good governance in Afghanistan. I urge the Government of Afghanistan to give the utmost priority to making tangible progress in these areas. Building Afghan capacity and ownership within the police as well as within the civilian sectors is of the highest importance. These are key issues which will need to be discussed at the Conference on Afghanistan which the international community proposes will be held after the inauguration of a new Afghan Government in order to review aspects of common objectives, strategies and cooperation. For our part, we have allocated over €21 million to Afghanistan in reconstruction and humanitarian assistance since 2005. In addition, we continue to provide 7 members of the Defence Forces to serve in non-combat roles in Kabul with the international security force, ISAF; and we have begun support for the assignment of a small number of experts to serve with the EUPOL police mission.

Although preliminary results have been announced for the Afghanistan Presidential Elections, some uncertainty remains at the present time regarding the outcome pending the completion of many recounts and audits called for by the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC). I welcome the fact that it was possible to hold both elections in most parts of Afghanistan on 20 August, despite the very difficult security situation prevailing there. I am concerned by reports and evidence of large-scale fraud having taken place in the Presidential elections in particular, with over 2,000 complaints received by the ECC, about one third of those classified as 'Category A' claims, which could, if substantiated, affect the outcome of the election.

It is vital that the election process and outcome are seen to be credible. The low turn-out and the widespread allegations of fraud raise questions in this respect, but it is too early to pronounce definitively on this issue. How the ECC and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) handle the allegations of fraud, and are perceived to handle them, will be of great importance. This process is currently underway, with some results annulled and some recounting and auditing taking place.

In a statement on 10 September, the EU expressed concern at the allegations of fraud at a number of polling stations, noting that the ECC has been required to investigate these claims. In this statement, the EU supported the important work of the ECC in terms of the credibility of the electoral process. It underlined the need for the ECC's independence to be fully secured and for it to be given sufficient time to fulfil its mandate, in co-operation with the IEC. The EU statement also expressed the hope that all authorities would refrain from pre-judging the result until it has been properly certified. I fully endorse this statement.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Special Envoy to East Timor has reported to him to date in 2009. [31763/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Dame Nuala O'Loan has, during 2009, continued to undertake duties in her role as Special Envoy to Timor Leste and on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women Peace and Security). The Special Envoy reports regularly to senior officials in the Department on both her roles. We greatly value the work which Dame Nuala is doing and I know that my colleague, Minister Martin, is looking forward to an early meeting with her when their schedules permit.