Written answers

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ministerial Correspondence

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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13. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a response will issue to two letters dated 23 March 2020 and 2 June 2020 sent by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13040/20]

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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14. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the unilateral sanctions of illegal and unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States of America on Venezuela specifically are a significant cause of hardship to the civilian population and directly cause unnecessary deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13041/20]

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the unilateral sanctions imposed by the Unites States of America on Venezuela have caused considerable disruption to the economy in Venezuela with knock-on consequences for the civilian population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13042/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 14 and 15 together.

Venezuela is currently experiencing the worst political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis in its history. I am particularly concerned regarding the humanitarian needs of the population, which are acute. Due to the severe lack of access to basic goods, services, medicines and medical equipment, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country is extremely worrying.

Ireland supports the call for international solidarity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I fully support the calls by the UN Secretary-General and by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell for sanctions regimes to be applied in such a way as not to hinder the provision of essential equipment and supplies to fight COVID-19 and limit its spread. It is important that humanitarian exemptions provided for under UN and EU sanctions regimes are fully availed of and applied in an appropriate and timely manner in light of the current emergency. Through the use of these exemptions, Ireland, as an EU Member State, will play its part to ensure that sanctions do not impede efforts in the global response to COVID-19.

We also join the UNSG in urging countries with unilateral sanctions regimes to ensure that these sanctions do not in any way hinder the fight against COVID-19 or impede humanitarian assistance from reaching the most vulnerable. 

At this time of global crisis, I believe that a strong multilateral response is essential. In order to contain and fight the virus, nations must work together and enhance international cooperation. For this reason, Ireland is encouraging a UN system-wide response, and we have significantly increased our financial support by quadrupling funding to the World Health Organisation for 2020. We have allocated over €115 million to the global COVID-19 response, and have pledged an additional €18 million in support to GAVI for the 2021-25 period. Ireland is also proud to contribute to the European Union’s global response to COVID-19, which has mobilised almost €36 billion to date.

I was pleased that Ireland participated in the International Donors Conference in solidarity with Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the midst of COVID-19 that took place on 26 May, co-hosted by Spain and the EU and convened in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Ireland pledged €1 million in 2020 to the UNHCR and IOM Regional Response Plan for Venezuelan migrants and refugees.

As I said in my statement that I issued on the occasion of the Solidarity Conference, it is more important than ever for us to demonstrate the values of solidarity and our shared humanity. We know that the impact of this crisis will not fall equally, but will disproportionately impact those already suffering from humanitarian crises, including in situations of displacement, conflict or natural disaster. 

Regarding the correspondence which the Deputy mentions, this was received by my Department, along with subsequent other linked correspondence, regarding the situation in Venezuela, and a composite reply issued on 9 June. 

I will continue to monitor the situation in the country closely and engage with my EU colleagues and other key interlocutors on this important issue.  

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