Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent attack on a village (details supplied) in east Congo and where the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has admitted that the incident was made worse by subsequent failings by UN peacekeeping forces [36116/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The systematic mass rapes which were carried out in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in July and August, in Luvungi and several other locations, were appalling and despicable. Ireland fully shared in the international condemnation of those responsible, which included statements by EU and UN representatives. In their 27th August joint statement on the violence, EU High Representative Ashton and EU Development Commissioner Piebalgs expressed outrage at the attacks and mass rapes and called on the Government in Kinshasa to make every effort to protect the population and end impunity for the perpetrators. They also called for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, to speed up their efforts with the Congolese authorities to improve security in the region. Of course the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians lies with the Government of the DRC, its national army and police force, which failed to protect the victims. However MONUSCO peacekeepers also had a role to play, and the UN has admitted that they also failed, and could have done more to stop the series of attacks. Poor infrastructure, difficult terrain, limited communication, and insufficient resources were some of the reasons cited for the failure.

Notwithstanding the failures of the DRC Government and of MONUSCO, it is important to remember that the fault lies with the perpetrators. They and their leaders must be apprehended and charged with their crimes. The Government of the DRC has constituted a commission to bring them to justice. By early September the DRC Government had arrested some of those responsible and they were awaiting trial. Ireland also calls on the Government of the DRC to address issues of civilian protection, impunity, and security sector reform, which contribute to such abuse.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding discussions between Turkey and Cyprus; if any progress has been made at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36049/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The current phase of negotiations to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem began in September 2008, under the auspices of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Alexander Downer. By the end of March 2010, over 70 rounds of talks had taken place between President Christofias, the leader of the Greek Cypriots, and Mehmet Ali Talat, the then leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. In April 2010, Mr. Dervis Eroglu was elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, defeating Mr. Talat. A first round of talks between President Christofias and Mr. Eroglu took place at the end of May and eight further rounds took place during the summer months.

After a short recess in mid-August, Christofias and Eroglu resumed their talks at the end of the month. An intensive two-day session took place on 9-10 September in a bid to accelerate the process before both President Christofias and Eroglu departed for international engagements. They considered comprehensive written proposals from each side on the problematic property chapter and agreed that their respective representatives would take forward work on the technical aspects of the issue to try to identify and develop possible convergences. The representatives hope to be in a position to produce an agreed joint document in advance of the resumption of talks between the two leaders this month.

The UN has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement and the Government fully supports the leadership of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his Special Representative Alexander Downer in this important work.

Ireland, along with its EU partners, will maintain that support for the Secretary General and his Special Representative in this role. We continue to encourage both sides to work for progress towards the achievement of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal state through an honourable, balanced and durable settlement protecting and guaranteeing the basic rights of all Cypriots.

We also encourage Turkey to bring its influence to bear in supporting a durable settlement. When I met with the Turkish Foreign Minister in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York on 21 September, I stressed the importance of making progress on the Cyprus issue. In particular I emphasised the need for Turkey to comply with its obligations under the Ankara Protocol and open its ports and airports to Cyprus.