Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to be in a position to focus attention on hunger, famine, starvation and war associated atrocities throughout Africa; if he will set out the main locations for concern in this regard and the extent to which success can be expected in bringing about an improvement in the situation thereat in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1944/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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The Government will maintain its focus on the issues of poverty, hunger, and conflict in Africa in the coming years, while also working to develop our bilateral relations to take account of the remarkable economic progress which has been made in many countries across the continent. The extent of our commitment to Africa is underlined by the fact that some 80% of Ireland’s official development assistance is channelled to the continent.

Ireland’s aid programme is focused on some of the poorest countries and communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Seven of the priority countries for the aid programme are in Africa, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In addition to this support, we provide development assistance to these and many other countries in Africa, through our partnerships with the United Nations and development NGOs such as Concern, Goal and Trócaire.

Through Irish Aid’s emergency humanitarian budget, we maintain the capacity to respond quickly and effectively to humanitarian emergencies in Africa as a result of conflict, natural disasters and food insecurity. In the coming period, it is clear that ongoing humanitarian assistance will be required in response to the severe food crisis and instability in Mali and the Sahel region of West Africa. Ireland has already provided over €9 million in response to the situation there to date. Other areas requiring emergency support this year will include Sudan, South Sudan and the Horn of Africa, where the situation remains fragile.

Development and humanitarian assistance are producing results in Africa. I am heartened to note that many of the countries in which we work have already made significant progress with regard to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This includes important progress in the fight against extreme poverty, work to improve primary school enrolment and child health, and activities aimed at expanding access to HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment. Indeed, many countries previously mired in poverty are now experiencing strong economic growth, generating resources to finance their own development. Building on this progress, we are now implementing the new Africa Strategy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We are strengthening our overall engagement in the continent and taking a fresh look at ways in which we and our African partners can benefit from the economic opportunities involved. I believe that by ensuring a more coherent approach to Ireland’s relations with Africa – development, economic and political – we can make an important contribution to the lives and security of the people of the continent and open up new, more mature, relations for the future.