Written answers
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Foreign Conflicts
Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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11. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has noted the resumption of reunification talks in Cyprus; if he supports the resumption of these talks; and if he has discussed this issues with his Cypriot counterpart. [8111/14]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I very much welcome the agreement announced on 11 February 2014 by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the resumption of settlement talks.
I believe that the Joint Declaration agreed by the two leaders lays a solid foundation for the re-launch of negotiations for a fair and viable comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
Neither I nor the Tánaiste have had the opportunity to discuss these latest developments with our Cypriot opposite numbers, but I would like to welcome the political leadership shown by those involved in the process thus far.
I would urge those involved, having agreed the principles on which the negotiations will be based, to engage fully in the talks and to work in a spirit of good faith, under the auspices of the United Nations. I welcome the stated determination of both sides to conduct the negotiations in a results-oriented manner.
I fully support their aim to find a solution that provides for a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommuncal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Ireland remains fully supportive of the efforts underway to resolve this long-standing problem. As the leaders themselves acknowledge, a successful resolution of the Cyprus question would have a positive impact on the whole region. Most significantly, however, it would benefit both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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12. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed the continued violence and displacement in South Sudan with his EU counterparts at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting; that the UN estimates that by June almost a third of the population, 3.2 million people, will need food aid and the risk of famine is high; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8112/14]
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the EU Foreign Affairs Council has discussed the proposed inquiry by the African Union into human rights abuses in South Sudan; if there is a commitment to provide much needed additional humanitarian aid for Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8019/14]
Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 37 together.
I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached last month in South Sudan and I would echo the statement on 23 January by High Representative Ashton, on behalf of the EU, calling on all parties to implement the agreement in good faith.
It is essential now that South Sudan turn away from violence and to a renewed political dialogue, without the threat of violence. The second round of peace talks focused on resolving political differences between the parties in the country opened last week in Addis Ababa. The EU, through its Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, is closely monitoring the peace efforts and strongly supports the role being played by the East African regional grouping, IGAD, in mediating the ceasefire and peace talks.
The situation in South Sudan was discussed by EU Foreign Ministers most recently at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 20 January. There was very strong concern at the reports of widespread human rights violations and abuses, including ethnic targeting. The Council welcomed the African Union’s decision to establish a Commission to investigate the human rights violations and abuses.
The African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security briefed EU Ambassadors in Addis Ababa on 7 February on the situation in South Sudan and progress on the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses.
Ireland strongly shares the concerns about the violence in South Sudan and the devastating impact on the civilian population. According to current estimates, there are more than 700,000 people displaced inside South Sudan with a further 145,000 displaced in neighbouring countries. This is close to 10% of the population. The scale of the humanitarian needs is placing an enormous burden on humanitarian agencies to respond to the crisis. Some aid agencies estimate that by June 2014 more than 3 million people could be at risk of food insecurity.
In the last two years, Ireland has provided €5 million in funding to the UN-managed Common Humanitarian Fund for South Sudan to help UN agencies target the most critical humanitarian needs. In addition, Ireland provided over €3 million to NGOs operating in South Sudan to improve food security across the country. In addition, in response to the recent violence, two airlifts with 45 tonnes of emergency supplies, valued at €400,000, were dispatched to South Sudan from Irish Aid pre-positioned stocks in Ghana. A further airlift will be dispatched to Uganda in the coming days to assist South Sudanese refugees displaced inside Uganda. I am currently considering how Ireland can best respond to the crisis this year though our ongoing support for the UN-managed Common Humanitarian Fund.
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