Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent cease-fire agreement that the Malian government has signed with Tuareg rebels; his views on whether the agreement can defuse tensions in the regime; and if he has discussed it with his European counterparts. [30766/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On 18 June, an agreement was concluded in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, between the Malian Government and representatives of two Tuareg militant groups, the MNLA (Mouvement National pour la Libération de l'Azawad) and the HCA (Haut Conseil pour l'Unité de l'Azawad). This Interim Agreement on Presidential Elections and Inclusive Negotiations for Peace provides for an immediate ceasefire and paves the way for Presidential elections in Mali on 28 July. The parties have also committed to continuing dialogue after the elections. Moreover, they have agreed to the deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, and Malian forces to the Kidal region, and established a technical security commission to monitor the ceasefire. The EU is continuing to play a major role in supporting peace efforts in Mali. The High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, welcomed the Ouagadougou Agreement on behalf of the EU in a statement on 18 June. The situation in Mali was again discussed by EU Foreign Ministers when we met in the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday, and we adopted Council Conclusions welcoming these latest positive developments and urging the parties to implement the terms of the Agreement.

Ireland is also continuing to make a significant national contribution to the efforts to overcome the crisis. We are contributing eight personnel to the EU Training Mission in Mali. We are also continuing to respond to the humanitarian needs of those affected by the crisis in Mali and the wider region. So far in 2013, over €1.8 million has been provided by Ireland for those worst affected by the crisis. At the International Donor Conference in Brussels in May, Ireland announced assistance of €2.5 million to further support the humanitarian response and recovery efforts in Mali over the next two years.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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55. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the decision of the Austrian government to recall its troops serving on the UN Mission in the Golan Heights after the EU decided not to renew its arms embargo on Syria; and if he has discussed it with his Austrian counterpart. [30767/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The escalation of the Syrian conflict has had a direct impact on the operation of United Nations peacekeeping missions in the region and the safety of personnel at these missions.Both of the United Nations peacekeeping missions operating in Syria and neighbouring countries, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), have experienced direct fire on their personnel and facilities. Groups of peacekeepers serving with the UNDOF mission have on two occasions been detained for prolonged periods by armed elements. I condemn all attacks on, or threats against, United Nations peacekeepers, for which there can be no justification.

Austria has served for many years in UNDOF but has decided, in the light of current conditions, to withdraw its troops from that operation. While I have not discussed this with my Austrian counterpart, I fully respect the decision of the Austrian Government.

The priority for the United Nations is to strengthen the UNDOF mission, which is now quite exposed as the confrontation between Government and opposition forces in Syria spills over into the Golan Heights area. As a measure of our support for the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions, Ireland responded positively to a request received last April to provide personnel for the UNDOF headquarters. Three members of the Permanent Defence Force were recently deployed to the mission and a fourth member will be deployed to UNDOF in the coming weeks. I think that there will be particular appreciation on the part of the UN for Ireland’s willingness to provide personnel in these difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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56. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Afghani Government has taken over complete control of security in the country; his views on whether this is a positive and timely development; his views on the recent break down in negotiations between the Afghani Government and the Taliban [30774/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Deputy is referring to the announcement on 18 June of the beginning of the final phase of the Transition process that will see the Afghan National Security Forces take full responsibility for security across Afghanistan by the end of 2014. I hope that this will enable Afghanistan to make further progress towards the goal of becoming a peaceful, self-governing and democratic state, based on respect for human rights, including the rights of Afghan women, and on respect for the rule of law.

There are, however, significant challenges. Afghanistan is facing a complex and difficult transition period. Although progress has been made in many areas, this progress remains fragile and reversible.

I believe that success in achieving the overall transition and stabilising Afghanistan will depend to a crucial extent on the political progress made in relation to reconciliation and peace-building and on longer-term state-building.

It is widely accepted that there is a need for a strong and inclusive political process in Afghanistan. I believe – and there is a growing international consensus to this effect -- that dialogue with the Taliban and the inclusion of regional neighbours in the peace dialogue are essential to the prospects for longer-term peace and the building of a stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan.