Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Under European Union sanctions regulations there are targeted asset-freeze measures in place against a small number of listed individuals in Sudan and South Sudan who are deemed to be impeding the peace process and breaking international law in the conflict in the Darfur region. However, there are no EU economic sanctions or measures in place which would prevent transfers of funds for legitimate commercial or personal reasons between banks in Europe and South Sudan. Decisions on the services provided by banks to customers are of course operational matters for the management and boards of the banks concerned. The ongoing insecurity and political instability in South Sudan is affecting almost all aspects of normal life in the country and is of serious concern to Ireland and our partners in the European Union. The EU strongly supports the regionally-led peace efforts and has called clearly on all parties to agree an immediate cessation to hostilities and violence. Given the worsening humanitarian and security situation across many parts of the country the EU has urged all political and military leaders to protect the population and to act in the interests of the South Sudanese people as a whole. The immediate priority must be to restore stability and respond effectively to the humanitarian needs of the population. Over one million people have been displaced by the crisis in South Sudan, including more than 800,000 internally displaced persons. Ireland is responding with significant humanitarian support, including direct support to NGOs, Concern, World Vision and MSF for their emergency relief work. Once the security situation has stabilised, the international community will need to focus on helping to build sustainable political and economic structures for South Sudan, and continue to assist the people of the country in rebuilding their livelihoods for a secure and stable future.