Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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95. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the ten most sensitive locations throughout Africa which remain currently the cause of greatest concern in the context of human rights abuse, famine, war, starvation, genocide, the need for humanitarian aid and the efficacy of the local administrative structures; the ongoing efforts being made to ensure that aid intended for particular areas actually goes to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1781/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland, along with our EU Partners, pursues a strategic and comprehensive approach to countries in Africa suffering the consequences of conflict or natural disaster. This approach encompasses political and diplomatic engagement, development cooperation programming, humanitarian assistance, and support for peacekeeping operations.

The top ten poorest countries in the world are in Africa. The UN Human Development Index classifies Niger as the poorest, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Guinea and Burundi. In an effort to help the continent to confront these far-reaching challenges, we allocate approximately 80% of Ireland’s development assistance to Africa. Ireland is comitted to supporting the recovery efforts and successful transition of countries emerging from conflict or significant and protracted humanitarian crises. The recent announcement that Sierra Leone will become one of Irish Aid’s nine Key Partner Countries is testament to this commitment. Ireland will further strengthen its support for long-term reconstruction and development in Sierra Leone, working in close collaboration with the authorities there and other partners such as United Nations agencies and NGOs.

The progress in African countries, particularly those emerging from conflict, and the approach the EU takes to promote peace and security and development, is discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. I have participated in some of the discussions on the latest developments in a number of Africa's most troubled regions -the Great Lakes, Somalia and Mali.

The EU is the largest donor to African countries providing approximately €21 billion in assistance annually. Together with other donor countries, Ireland has worked particularly closely with the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to put in place new systems to improve the way in which aid is delivered and to ensure that coordination on the ground is improved through enhanced monitoring systems. The EU, and Ireland as a bilateral donor provide very significant humanitarian support across Africa, in close cooperation with regional bodies, including the African Union.

Significant progress has been made on regional security with the support of EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions. Somalia is a good example of the EU’s Comprehensive Approach in action, with the Horn of Africa Strategy located within the wider framework for EU action in Africa. One element of this approach is Operation Atalanta, the EU’s first CSDP Maritime Mission which aims to protect World Food Program and merchant shipping transiting the Gulf of Aden against piracy. Another element is the EU’s Military Training Mission which has been training Somali defence forces since 2010. Ireland has and will continue to deploy personnel to civilian and military EU and UN missions.

Our aid programme is recognised as one of the best in the world. I am very conscious of the need to have a high level of assurance that our development assistance is fully accountable and that it makes a real difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people, reaches those most in need and without interference.

All proposals for funding are rigorously appraised by our aid programme staff using clear criteria, including quality of intended impact, sustainability, cost effectiveness and efficiency in the use of resources. All partners in receipt of Irish Aid funds are obliged to report regularly on the results being achieved. The programmes are subject to regular internal and external monitoring and are evaluated and audited by independent experts, as well as by my Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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97. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continue to respond to the development of the democratisation of Iran with particular reference to the need to eliminate human rights abuses and a recognition that the establishment of democratic principles can and will result in a commensurate lifting of economic restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1783/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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While there is more hope now of a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue, the Deputy’s Question is a timely reminder that there remain very considerable human rights concerns in relation to Iran, which have generally speaking worsened over the last ten years.

The new Government in Iran has made some welcome statements on improving the protection of human rights in Iran. Ireland and our EU partners would strongly encourage any such moves in Iran, and indeed I have myself discussed with Foreign Minister Zarif the possibility of resuming the EU-Iran Human Rights Dialogue, which was suspended in 2004. My Department has also provided the Iranian Foreign Ministry with information on human rights protection and mechanisms in this country.

Human rights is very much an area where positive words must be followed up with actions and changes on the ground, and this is an area we will continue to monitor closely, along with our EU partners.

The present economic restrictions on Iran relate to the nuclear issue, and there is a prospect now for removing those restrictions if agreement can be reached in that area.

I would hope that progress in these various areas can support each other, in the sense of increasing confidence, leading to better relations generally between Iran and the international community. If there is real commitment to do so on the part of the Iranian authorities, they will not find a response wanting on our part.