Written answers

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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833. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will use its influence in the EU to ensure the Indian Government is aware of Ireland’s concern over its handling of the Covid-19 crisis in India and the high death toll there; if he will urge the EU to ensure that future trade deals and so on are contingent on vaccines been available to all citizens in India; if funds donated to a fund (details supplied) will be open for full scrutiny as to their dispersal and use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39831/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to express my sympathy to the people of India at the suffering that they are enduring from the devastating consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly since the second wave at the end of April.

The impact of Covid-19 on India was one of the key agenda items for an EU Leader’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi held on 8 May in Porto, which the Taoiseach attended in person.

During the meeting the Taoiseach and EU Leaders spoke with Prime Minister Modi about the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and they expressed their deep sympathy to those affected, in particular the families of the victims. EU Leaders and Prime Minister Modi committed to defeating the pandemic through global cooperation and solidarity and underlined their commitment to work together to ensure a better, safer, sustainable and inclusive recovery.

They committed support for safe, equitable and affordable access to vaccines, recognising the role of extensive immunisation as a global public good.

The EU’s contribution to vaccine production and their substantial support to the COVAX Facility was noted, as was the EU’s support and assistance to India which was coordinated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Ireland contributed significantly to this initiative by sending two consignments of medical supplies and equipment to India.

All adult Indian citizens can now register for a vaccine. Of course, India's large population and geographical size present an immense challenge to the effective distribution of vaccines.

In Porto, Leaders also gave a renewed commitment to further engagement on EU-India trade negotiations, which will now be taken forward. Ireland looks forward to progress in these negotiations, which are separate to the issue of vaccine availability.

Embassy New Delhi is aware of the PM Cares Fund which is a public charity in India for private donations. The Fund is overseen by a Board of Trustees which includes Prime Minister Modi as well as the Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Finance. I understand that the fund will also be externally audited.

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