Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish Aid has provided any funding to human rights and or rule-of-law NGOs in Georgia in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50094/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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While Irish Aid has not directly funded human rights or rule of law NGOs in Georgia in the past 12 months, Ireland, through our membership of the European Union, and particularly the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe) programme, continues to support human rights and the rule of law in Georgia.

For 2021-2024, EU funding for Georgia is expected to amount to €340 million. The priority areas for funding cover the economy, institutions, rule of law, security, environment and climate resilience, digital transformation, gender equality and an inclusive society.

EU assistance is based on strict conditionality, and is linked to satisfactory progress in reforms and the respect of the rule of law, effective democratic mechanisms and human rights. In addition, the twelve priority recommendations set out by the European Commission for Georgia in June 2022 when recognising Georgia’s EU membership perspective, include strengthening democratic oversight, and strengthening the protection of human rights. These priorities were reaffirmed by the Commission in its report of 8 November, recommending that the European Council open accession negotiations once nine key recommendations have been completed.

In 2023 EU support has focused on improving the legislative and policy frameworks in Georgia in the area of human rights and equality, including gender equality, in line with European standards. At the same time the EU is working to strengthen the capacities of the Georgian authorities to implement a human rights-based approach in respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights policies and actions. It is also supporting enhanced cooperation between institutions and civil society, including women’s rights organisations and human rights defenders.

In 2021, Ireland also provided €20,000 to the Council of Europe in a project to bring Georgia’s legislation, institutions and practice into line with European standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy.