Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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428. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason Ireland is supportive of the imposition of sanctions on Venezuela through membership of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12532/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to support international efforts to achieve a democratic solution to the Venezuelan crisis.

Ireland works closely with our EU and international partners to seek to ensure a coordinated approach to the political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, based on shared democratic, rule of law and human rights values. The EU introduced restrictive measures on Venezuela in November 2017, and in November 2020, and the measures were further extended until 14 November 2021.

On 22 February 2021, 19 additional individuals were added to the EU restrictive measures list, bringing the total number of listings to 55. The individuals were listed due to their role in acts and decisions undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, or because of serious human rights violations. The measures are targeted and designed not to have adverse humanitarian effects or otherwise unintended consequences for the people of Venezuela. Ireland supports the imposition of these targeted measures in light of the worsening crisis in Venezuela.

Ireland also supports the EU Council Conclusions of 25 January 2021 which stated that the legislative elections held in Venezuela on 6 December 2020 could not be considered credible, inclusive or transparent, and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting a peaceful, negotiated and democratic solution to the crisis.

I remain deeply concerned by the serious and deteriorating situation in Venezuela. The different elements of this crisis are inextricably linked and continue to have a grave impact on the people of Venezuela. I was troubled by the September 2020 report of the Independent Fact-Finding Mission to the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Venezuela. The 46th Session of the Human Rights Council will today, 10 March, hear an oral update on the Fact-Finding Mission.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation in the country. The mass migration that has occurred as a result of the crisis is also severely impacting on neighbouring countries. In 2021, it is estimated that the total number of people to leave Venezuela since the beginning of the crisis could rise to 7 million.

In October, the EU expanded its Guidance Note on how COVID-19-related humanitarian aid could be provided to countries that are subject to EU restrictive measures to include a chapter on Venezuela. The Note gives practical guidance on how to comply with EU sanctions when providing humanitarian aid, in particular medical assistance to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This ensures that humanitarian operators have the reassurance they need to deliver assistance to Venezuela during this unprecedented time.

Ireland has been active in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Since 2019, we have provided almost €2.5 million in funding to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), as well as to NGOs responding to the needs of migrants and refugees from Venezuela.

I will continue to support efforts to overcome the crisis which can only be resolved through a negotiated and peaceful process that fully involves and is owned by the people of Venezuela.