Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

294. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the current situation in Haiti will be discussed at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. [7308/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While Haiti does not appear as an agenda item on the provisional agenda set for the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the European Union remains actively engaged on the deeply concerning situation in Haiti, notably the disturbing levels of insecurity and violence, the humanitarian needs of the Haitian people, and the human rights situation. Ireland and the EU continue to urge all stakeholders to engage in the political process in the interests of the people of Haiti.

At EU and UN level, Ireland has 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.

The European Union’s funding allocation for Haiti under its development funding instrument (NDICI-GE) amounts to €120 million for the period 2021-24. This comes in addition to its humanitarian funding to Haiti, which amounted to €19.5 million in 2022; with €470.5 million allocated since 1994. Haiti is the main recipient of EU humanitarian aid in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Bilaterally, in 2021, Ireland provided €1.4m in humanitarian funding for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. This comes in addition to civil-society funding of €1.5m in 2020 and €1.7m in 2021.

I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland, alongside our EU partners, will remain committed to supporting Haiti through all available channels, and we will strive to ensure that the needs of the Haitian people remain central to any discussion in relation to Haiti, including at EU level.