Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the reported displacement of thousands of Ethiopians off their own land under the Ethiopian Government's villagisation programme in which the Government has already leased 3.6 million hectares of land to foreign investors for large scale commercial agricultural operations with plans to lease an additional 2.1 million hectares of land; if he is certain that no funds from Irish Aid have any direct or indirect involvement in the villagisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3972/12]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Ethiopia has been a priority country for the Government's aid programme since 1994, and we have been following closely the development of the Ethiopian Government's "villagisation" resettlement programme. The NGO Human Rights Watch has recently published a report which claims that there have been human rights violations as a result of the programme, in the Gambella, region of the country.

In our ongoing dialogue with the Government of Ethiopia, they have stated that they view the programme as a key element in the development of some of the poorest regions, enabling the effective delivery of basic services through the voluntary resettlement of vulnerable communities. The areas where the villagisation programme is being implemented are also among those earmarked by the Government for commercial land leasing and mining exploration. However, the Ethiopian Government denies that an objective of the programme is to free up land for these purposes.

We take very seriously any allegations of human rights violations, and we are examining the latest Human Rights Watch report carefully, through our Embassy in Addis Ababa and in consultation with other international donors. Officials from our Embassy have visited some of the areas involved to ascertain first-hand the validity of the allegations in relation to the villagisation programme. These visits have not substantiated the claims of forced movements of communities. However, we have expressed our concern to the Ethiopian Government at the scale and speed of the programme, and we are continuing to follow the situation closely, with Government, local communities and civil society organisations.

The Human Rights Watch report claims that aid from international donors is being used to fund the villagisation programme. I can assure the House that Ireland's development assistance is not funding the resettlement of people or supporting the construction of new schools or health clinics as part of this programme. We do contribute to the costs of salaries of essential workers, such as teachers and nurses, throughout the entire country. We can be proud that this support has contributed to the rapid improvement in human development for the Ethiopian people.

Ireland's engagement with Ethiopia is having a real impact in the lives of the most vulnerable people and communities. The focus of our programme is on eliminating hunger and building basic services for the poorest and most vulnerable. Our relations with the Government have always involved open and frank discussions at political and official levels. As recently as last November, a delegation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade had the opportunity to raise a broad range of issues including alleged human rights abuses at the highest political level.

During my visit to Ethiopia in the coming days, I look forward to seeing the impact of Ireland's development programme, and emphasising the importance which we place on good governance, transparency and human rights. I also look forward to open and honest discussions with the Ethiopian authorities on all current issues, including allegations which have been made in relation to the human rights situation.