David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the ongoing situation in Haiti; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4412/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Haiti, already at breaking point for some time, deteriorated even further during the course of 2022 and again over the last number of weeks. The security situation is in crisis, with gang control inhibiting a humanitarian response and depriving citizens of key infrastructure. Accounts of violence, particularly sexual and gender-based violence, are deeply disturbing. Cases of cholera continue to break out across Haiti. Efforts to advance a negotiated political solution have unfortunately not been successful to this point.

Ireland has consistently sought to draw attention at international level to the crisis in Haiti, and to highlight in particular the humanitarian and human rights situation. We have also underlined the core principle that any international action must keep the needs and desires of the Haitian people at its centre.

During our recent two-year term on the United Nations Security Council, Ireland consistently raised concern at the human rights situation in Haiti, in particular the situation of women and girls; highlighted the need for ongoing humanitarian support; and emphasised the centrality of a negotiated political solution to setting the conditions to address Haiti’s multifaceted crises.

We continue to urge all stakeholders to engage in the political process in the interests of the people of Haiti, including in the context of the recent consensus document put forward by Prime Minister Henry.

While on the UN Security Council, Ireland also contributed to the drafting of a sanctions regime targeting those groups that are impacting peace and security in Haiti, and worked to ensure that it did not have a negative impact on the people of Haiti.

In terms of support to the people of Haiti, from 2010 to 2020, Ireland provided over €30.5 in bilateral humanitarian and longer-term funding to Haiti, with an additional €3.1 million disbursed in 2021. In addition, the EU allocated €19.5 million to address the needs of the most vulnerable population in Haiti in 2022, as well as additional emergency funding following the cholera outbreak. The European Commission’s funding allocation for Haiti, under its development funding instrument (NDICI-GE), amounts to €120 million for the period 2021-24.

I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland will remain committed to supporting Haiti through all available channels and will strive to ensure that the needs of the Haitian people remain central.