Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43310/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am gravely concerned at the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

I am particularly alarmed by the humanitarian needs affecting the country, including severe shortages of food and medicine. Shortages of medicine alone are putting at risk the lives of 3m people with chronic diseases, and the growing number of malaria cases, expected to reach 2m by the end of the year, will make it the highest incidence of malaria anywhere in the world.

Ireland believes that the government of Venezuela must acknowledge the humanitarian crisis and allow humanitarian actors to operate without interference. I urge the Venezuelan government to allow the entry of humanitarian assistance into the country. Last month, Ireland co-sponsored the resolution on Venezuela adopted at the 39th session of the Human Rights Council on this subject.

The crisis has caused one of the biggest population displacements in the world, and Ireland believes that countries hosting Venezuelan migrants must be supported.

Ireland has supported the deployment of a Rapid Responder to assist UNHCR in supporting the Colombian Government’s efforts to enhance its asylum system and respond to the humanitarian and protection needs of Venezuelans in Colombia, as well as fully supporting the €35 million EU humanitarian package announced in August.

I also welcome the recent appointment of Mr. Eduardo Stein as UNHCR and IOM Joint Special Representative for Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the region, to ensure a coordinated approach to dealing with the crisis.

The situation in Venezuela continues to be raised at the highest levels within the EU and was discussed by Foreign Ministers at our meeting on Monday 15 October. I welcome the high priority given to the issue by the EU, and I believe that it is important for us to work in step with our like-minded regional partners.

I am deeply concerned by the reports of human rights violations, and I condemn any attempt to infringe on the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. Ireland fully supports the EU sanctions introduced in June of this year. These sanctions are aimed at materials that can be used by the Government for internal repression, and create a legal framework for a travel ban and asset freeze against those who have shown blatant disregard for the rule of law and disrespect for democratic principles, including a number of Government officials.

I have repeatedly called for the Venezuelan government to engage in dialogue with the opposition, to respect the electoral calendar and to fully restore the country’s democratic institutions.

Our Embassy in Mexico is responsible for our diplomatic relations with Venezuela and is monitoring the situation closely, engaging with partner organisations on the ground and with EU Missions in Caracas. Ireland will continue to engage regularly with our EU partners on this issue, as well as with affected countries in the region. I can assure the Deputy that Ireland is committed to seeking a peaceful and democratic solution to this crisis.