Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 768: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in conjunction with his EU colleagues, a review is planned of the security arrangements for Irish aid workers who are working in various locations all over the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38171/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The kidnapping, and eventual release, of Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki and the continuing ordeal of Fr. Michael Sinnott have highlighted the strength of the commitment demonstrated by aid workers and missionaries working with poor and vulnerable communities across the developing world. The security of aid workers is a priority for the Government, and for aid donors internationally. We maintain regular contact with our partners at EU level and at the UN on the complex issues involved.

A recent independent report on the provision of aid in insecure environments found that attacks against humanitarian aid workers have increased sharply in recent years, with 122 aid workers killed, 76 injured and 62 kidnapped in 2008. Some 60% of these incidents occurred in three areas: Darfur, Afghanistan and Somalia.

It is clear that there are no simple security solutions for humanitarian aid workers operating in difficult and unstable situations, often during or in the aftermath of serious conflict. There is no comprehensive, universally applicable international convention on the protection of personnel engaged in humanitarian assistance. During armed conflict, or military occupation, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other relief organisations benefit from the protections provided by the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. The 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel and its 2007 Optional Protocol prohibit attacks on UN or associated personnel, including those deployed by a humanitarian Non-governmental Organisation under an agreement with the UN. They require States to take all appropriate measures to ensure their safety and security. Some NGOs and their personnel are also protected by the terms of specific bilateral agreements between a donor country and the State in which they operate as part of a programme of official development aid.

The role of the United Nations is particularly important in relation to the security of aid workers in humanitarian emergencies and other volatile situations. The UN Department of Safety and Security plays a pivotal role, overseeing security management, and often making available resources for the wider humanitarian community, including information, security officers, and dedicated security radio channels. Many NGOs cooperate with the UN on security matters, exchanging information, agreeing security standards and coordinating emergency planning.

Ireland is at present co-chairing the international Good Humanitarian Donorship group of 35 donor countries and the European Commission, which works to promote best practice in humanitarian aid and adherence to an agreed set of humanitarian donorship principles. In this role, we are planning to encourage consideration over the coming months of the complex range of issues involved in assisting the security and effective operation of humanitarian aid workers.

Through Irish Aid, the Government will also continue to work closely with the development NGOs on the issues of access and security for aid workers. In the past year, the Irish Aid Rapid Response Initiative has sponsored the attendance of representatives of a number of NGOs, including Concern, Christian Aid, Goal and Trócaire at field security training courses for humanitarian aid workers run by the Defence Forces. The Department of Foreign Affairs also supports the work of Cómhlámh, the Irish Association for Development Workers, in protecting the interests of development workers and volunteers. In particular, Irish Aid funded the development of the Cómhlámh Code of Practice for organisations sending volunteers to developing countries, which commits organisations to ensuring the protection, safety and well being of the volunteers. The Code also highlights the need to ensure that volunteers are fully informed about health, safety and security issues relating to their assignment. More than 30 Irish volunteering organisations are involved in this important initiative. Irish Aid also provides funding for a counselling service organised by Cómhlamh for aid workers when they return to Ireland.

The Government will continue to work closely with our partners internationally and with the development NGOs in order to ensure that the security of Irish aid workers is safeguarded to the maximum degree possible.