John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the detail of the work of the conflict resolution unit of his Department in Timor-Leste; the way it works with different sectors in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24227/10]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way the work of the conflict resolution unit of his Department is integrated with the development of Ireland's national action plan on the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1325 on women, peace and security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24228/10]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of co-operation between the conflict resolution unit of his Department and Irish and international non-governmental organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24229/10]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of co-operation between the conflict resolution unit of his Department and similar units in other EU countries, the United Nations and other international organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24230/10]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature of the work being carried out by the conflict resolution unit of his Department; the countries in which the unit is currently operating; the way the work of the unit integrates with overall foreign policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24231/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 to 214, inclusive, together.

The role of the Conflict Resolution Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs is to support conflict resolution efforts internationally while also seeking to develop our national capacity in this area. It draws on our own experience of peacemaking and peace building and from the work of Irish Aid, while also developing a range of partnerships with relevant international organisations and NGOs. The Unit maintains close contact with Irish Aid and the Anglo-Irish Division of my Department and reflects Ireland's commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security under the UN Charter, and to respect for international law.

Our engagement in Timor-Leste, in close cooperation with Irish Aid's development programme there, is designed to address key issues directly related to the risk of renewed internal conflict. Initiatives taken so far include support for an early warning and response system based in civil society, a programme on peace, remembrance and reconciliation, advice on security sector reform, and support for structured high level dialogue amongst rival leaders. President Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste was very appreciative of Ireland's support in this area during his State visit to Ireland in February of this year.

The Conflict Resolution Unit is taking the lead role in the development of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The Resolution calls for an increase in the participation of women in peacemaking and peace building processes; the protection of women and girls in armed conflict; and the incorporation of a gender perspective into peacekeeping and peace building processes. 2010 is the 10th anniversary of the resolution and the Government will have approved Ireland's National Action Plan on 1325 in time for events in New York in October to mark that anniversary. The plan is being drafted with input from civil-society and academia and is informed by an innovative cross-learning initiative which brought together women and men from three conflict-affected areas (Timor-Leste, Liberia and Ireland, North and South) working on issues relating to women, peace and security. Representatives from these regions have met three times, under the chairmanship of Ireland's Special Envoy for UNSCR 1325, Nuala O'Loan, and a report detailing the results of the process will be presented to the UN in October.

Given the complexity and sensitivity of conflict resolution work, close coordination with other key agencies and governments is essential. The Conflict Resolution Unit has developed a broad network of contacts in the UN, EU and the OECD's Development Assistance Committee. It has a close working relationship with a number of Irish and international NGOs, particularly the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Interpeace, International Alert, International Crisis Group, Crisis Management Initiative and the International Security Sector Advisory Team. I will also ensure that conflict resolution is at the heart of Ireland's Chairmanship in Office of the OSCE in 2012.

In addition to this work, the Conflict Resolution Unit has launched a Research Development Initiative for academic institutions with the aim of strengthening research capacity in the area of conflict resolution in both national and international contexts. In February of this year, I renamed our conflict resolution PhD scholarship scheme in honour of the late Andrew Grene, the Irish UN Worker who died tragically in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake.