Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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48. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the announcement by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo that it will push back the presidential election which was due to happen in November 2016 to April 2018; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this will keep the incumbent President, Mr. Joseph Kabila, in power until the delayed vote takes places; and his views on whether this move will further destabilise the country. [31795/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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We have been following the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), closely, together with EU partners. The Foreign Affairs Council which I attended on 17 October adopted Conclusions expressing deep concern at the political situation and condemning the acts of extreme violence that took place on 19 and 20 September.

The Conclusions stress that the political crisis in the DRC can only be resolved through a substantive, inclusive, impartial and transparent political dialogue, which must lead to the holding of presidential and legislative elections as soon as possible in 2017. If the current Presidential term comes to an end without prior agreement on the electoral calendar, the EU will need to consider the impact on its relations with the Government of DRC.

The Conclusions also underline the EU's concern about the obstacles to a peaceful and democratic transition and reiterate that, to ensure a climate conducive to the holding of dialogue and elections, the Government of the DRC must make a clear commitment to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law. The Conclusions further call on all involved to reject the use of violence and ensure respect for fundamental freedoms.

An African Union-facilitated national dialogue, supported by the EU, is working to find a consensual solution for the holding of peaceful, transparent and credible elections.

In addition to engagement at the EU level, the issue of electoral tensions was raised by the Irish side at a meeting earlier this year between officials of my Department and representatives from the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in London, stressing the importance of timely elections and peaceful cooperation between all parties. Ireland also raised the issue at the Human Rights Council in September, urging the Government of DRC to move forward the processes for the upcoming election and political transition, in the interests of the Congolese people and the maintenance of peace and stability.

Ireland has provided very significant levels of funding to the DRC: €44.61 million in total between 2010 and 2015. Of this, €30.02 million was in humanitarian assistance, including €24.3 million allocated to the UN Common Humanitarian Fund for the DRC, and the remainder through NGO partners. €14.59 million was allocated to a range of civil society partners for their work on human rights, democracy, peace building and rule of law in DRC. To date in 2016, we have provided over €4.8 million in humanitarian funding to the DRC.

Irish Aid has deployed two rapid response personnel to DRC this year. At present four Irish Defence Forces personnel are also serving with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is making a critical contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights.