Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12615/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I attended the recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels on the 6^thMarch where the Implementation of the EU Global Strategy, the Western Balkans, Egypt, the Middle East Peace Process, migration, and the Democratic Republic of Congo were on the agenda. EU Foreign Ministers met in joint session with our defence colleagues to discuss progress since the December European Council on implementation of the security and defence elements of the EU Global Strategy. I was pleased to be joined by Minister Paul Kehoe for this discussion. In particular, we discussed how to step up the Union’s efforts to counter instability in the European Neighbourhood and beyond. The Global Strategy envisages a comprehensive approach using political, diplomatic, economic development cooperation, governance capacity building and peace support instruments in a coherent way. Improving the EU’s capacity, through the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), to contribute to international peace and security, particularly in support of the UN, is an important part of that work. High Representative Mogherini briefed the Council on her recent trip to the Western Balkans. Ministers reaffirmed the need for continued EU engagement with the region. There are worrying signs of instability in a number of these countries and the EU has a lead responsibility to assist these countries on their path to peace and stability.

My EU counterparts and I had an informal discussion on Egypt with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Following that discussion, I had a bilateral meeting with Minister Shoukry where I conveyed directly my concerns about Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa. In particular, I emphasised my concern for Ibrahim’s health and welfare during his incarceration and the strong desire of the Irish government and the Irish Parliament to see Ibrahim returned to Ireland.

EU Foreign Ministers had a general exchange of views on the Middle East Peace Process, in particular in light of a number of recent developments - settlement expansion, the recent Legalisation Act; and other issues.

The Council also adopted conclusions on the Democratic Republic of Congo, and had a short discussion on migration, Ukraine and Yemen.

As we move closer to the triggering of Article 50, it is more important than ever that the Government maintains engagement with our EU partners, to ensure that our priorities are heard and understood across Europe.In the margins of the Council, I had bilateral meetings with my Danish and German counterparts where I discussed Ireland’s situation in relation to Brexit, in particular with regard to Northern Ireland, the Common Travel area and our trade situation. While we all have some common concerns, Ireland is in a unique situation. Both Ministers were understanding of Ireland’s unique challenges and I am pleased that both have accepted my invitation to visit Ireland.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at the recent Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the urgent need to provide humanitarian assistance to Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan and north east Nigeria, in view of the imminent threat of famine and the desperate need at present for humanitarian assistance in that region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12616/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if additional humanitarian aid will be provided as a matter of urgency to Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan and north east Nigeria, in view of the desperate plight at present of so many persons in that region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12617/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions 178 and 179 together.

I am deeply concerned about the situation of the more than 20 million people currently facing famine, or threat of famine, in Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan and north east Nigeria. It is also of grave concern that intractable conflict is the main driver of the humanitarian emergencies for people in these countries.

Ireland, working with our international partners, will continue to support a strong focus on the need for peaceful resolution of these conflicts. In addition, the provision of timely humanitarian assistance will remain a key foreign policy priority. In 2016, we provided a total of some €190 million in humanitarian assistance to people affected by crisis and conflict including in Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan and north east Nigeria.

The EU is providing very significant humanitarian assistance to each of the four crises and the European Commission’s humanitarian budget now amounts tom some €1 billion annually.

We are keeping these situations under close review and I would expect we will provide further humanitarian support to each of the four crises in the coming period.

Famine was declared in parts of South Sudan in recent weeks and 7.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Severe drought, compounded by years of conflict, has led to emergency levels of food insecurity and risk of famine in Somalia, where 6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. We are currently preparing a package of humanitarian assistance to cover both of these crises and this will be released in the coming weeks.

This will be in addition to the over €31 million Ireland has provided to South Sudan since December 2013 and over €27 million for Somalia since 2012.

We are also gravely concerned about the situation in Yemen where 70% of the population of 27 million is now in need of assistance. Ireland has provided almost €6 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen since the conflict began in early 2015 and we intend to maintain similar levels of support in 2017.

At the recent Oslo Conference for north east Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, Ireland made an indicative commitment of at least €5 million in humanitarian funding for 2017 in response to the ongoing severe humanitarian crisis in this region, which encompasses the dire food security situation and risk of famine in North-East Nigeria.

We use every opportunity we have internationally to focus on the unprecedented level of humanitarian need globally, including at the Foreign Affairs Council. The crisis in Yemen was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council this week. Ministers agreed to increase efforts towards greater humanitarian access. South Sudan was last discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2016 and the Council issued a strong political statement calling on all parties to end the violence, and to allow unhindered humanitarian access to those in need.

Together with our EU partners, we will continue to monitor these crises closely and to provide significant life-saving humanitarian assistance for those in most need.