Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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647. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his efforts to stem electoral violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo; if he has raised the issue at recent European Union Foreign Affairs Council meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7091/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland does not have an Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo and therefore we have been working with our partners in the European Union who are closely monitoring the upcoming elections. We have provided significant development assistance to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Between 2010 and 2015, Ireland provided a total €44.61 million including €15 million to civil society partners working in the areas of democracy, peace building, rule of law and human rights. Ireland has been active in discussions within the EU which recently highlighted the respect of human rights, civil liberties and the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo as prerequisites for transparent and credible elections, while also expressing concern at reports of harassment and intimidation of local civil society actors.

At present four Irish Defence Force personnel are serving with United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) which is making a critical contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Ireland referred to the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a recent UN Security Council Open Debate on Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts in the Great Lakes Region, again stressing the importance of respect for the rule of law, human rights and Constitutional provisions in the coming period.

The issue of electoral tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo was raised by the Irish side at a recent meeting with representatives from the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in London. We expressed concern about the current situation and reiterated the importance of timely elections and peaceful cooperation between all relevant parties.

We will continue to monitor developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo closely over the coming period.