Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on reports asserting that US special forces and mercenaries engaged by the UAE have conducted targeted killings of religious and political leaders in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9736/19]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the situation in Yemen and the efforts to address the acute risk of famine in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9704/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 46 together.

I welcome this opportunity to provide an update on the situation in Yemen.

The Yemen conflict is a very complex situation, and the challenge of resolution should not be underestimated. What began as a conflict between the internationally-recognised Government and the Houthi de facto authorities has developed to involve outside actors including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. The presence of other non-state fighting and terrorist groups further complicates the crisis. Both at UN level, and in EU discussions on the issue, Ireland has stressed that military action cannot be a solution.

Ireland fully supports the work of the United Nations in attempting to bring the conflict to a political resolution. Implementation of the agreements reached in Stockholm in December 2018 remains crucial. The international community is maintaining pressure on the parties to engage with the UN Special Envoy, the Redeployment Coordination Committee, and the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA).

Lawlessness and weak governance are problems throughout Yemen. In relation to the allegations referred to by Deputy Connolly, I understand that there have been media reports alleging that mercenaries engaged by the United Arab Emirates have targeted members of the Al Islah movement in Yemen. I have no independent source of information to allow me to comment on the accuracy of these reports. I am glad to have this opportunity to urge all parties to the conflict to ensure that the principles of international law and international humanitarian law are respected.

The Group of Eminent Experts (GEE) on Yemen, which Ireland played a key role in establishing at the Human Rights Council in September 2017, is continuing to investigate all alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by all warring parties in Yemen. I look forward to their report later this year, which will be a valuable contribution to accountability for violations committed.

In relation to the humanitarian situation, after nearly four years of war, the Yemeni economy has all but collapsed, and with Government salaries going unpaid, millions are food insecure and have difficulties in accessing basic healthcare services. Both humanitarian and commercial access are often restricted, further exacerbating the situation. The UN reports that almost 80% of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance.

Ireland is contributing towards the humanitarian effort and has provided almost €17.5 million in assistance to Yemen since 2015. Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Ciarán Cannon attended a High-Level Pledging Event in Geneva just yesterday, where he pledged, on behalf of the Government, that Ireland will provide a further €5 million to the UN Yemen Humanitarian Fund this year.

Ireland also contributes to global funds that allocate funding to the Yemen Crisis, including the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which disbursed $50 million in 2018 to bolster the humanitarian response in Yemen.

Significant EU funds are also channelled towards humanitarian support in Yemen. Since 2015, the EU has contributed a total of €438 million to Yemen towards humanitarian, development, stabilisation and resilience support.

Ireland will continue to monitor the situation in Yemen, contribute what we can to the humanitarian response and continue to call on all parties to the conflict to engage with the UN-led process, with a view to resolving this alarming humanitarian crisis.