Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 13: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action at a political and diplomatic level he will take to ensure the Sudanese regime allows supplies of food and medicine to reach refugees in Southern Sudan in view of the fact that the Sudanese Government has stopped humanitarian aid reaching refugees since anti-regime protests began; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33708/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in Sudan and neighbouring jurisdictions continues to be monitored by the international community; the extent to which this has had a positive bearing on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33896/12]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 51 together.

The Government remains seriously concerned about the situation in Sudan and South Sudan, just one year on from South Sudan's independence. We are working with our EU partners to ensure that humanitarian access is granted to the thousands of people affected by the conflict in the region.

The humanitarian crisis in the region has been discussed by EU Foreign Ministers on a number of occasions in recent months. In January, with Ireland's encouragement, the EU urged the Government of Sudan to allow unhindered access for humanitarian workers. The Foreign Affairs Council emphasised that the ongoing conflicts in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile remain obstacles to providing the full range of support that we would like to grant to Sudan. In April, the EU again called on the Government of Sudan and the rebel SPLM North to engage in an inclusive political process to resolve the ongoing conflict.

In May, the UN Security Council adopted Resolutions demanding that both Sudan and South Sudan fulfil their obligations under international law to allow access by humanitarian agencies to civilian populations in need of assistance.

Since the adoption of these Security Council Resolutions, there has been some easing of tensions, but the issue of humanitarian access remains unclear. This is despite the acceptance by Khartoum of a Tripartite Proposal on access, which was facilitated by the African Union, the Arab League and the UN. In principle, this agreement provides the right to humanitarian assistance to all those affected by the conflict. However, the UN has expressed concern over conditions which Khartoum is attaching to the agreement, which could make the delivery of independent assistance in rebel-controlled areas impossible. As of now, aid agencies report that there is no clarity as to whether the agreement is actually being implemented on the ground. Further discussions on Sudan took place in the Security Council yesterday. The Council was briefed on the ongoing negotiations in Addis Ababa between Sudan and South Sudan.

Ireland has provided substantial assistance to those affected by the conflict, including €5 million for the UN-managed Common Humanitarian Funds for both countries. In addition, we have allocated almost €1.5 million to a number of key NGO partners working in South Sudan. We are continuing to explore options for the provision of further humanitarian support.