Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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110. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the most prominent locations worldwide to which international aid continues to be made available by Ireland and other countries in an effort to combat levels of human rights abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27799/24]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s foreign policy is based on the fundamental principles of justice, human rights, the rule of law, and supporting peace and friendly cooperation between nations. The United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations’ core Human Rights Treaties set the framework for Ireland’s foreign policy and our international development policy, A Better World. Ireland’s traditional support for policies which advance human rights, and combat poverty and hunger, alongside our commitment to peacekeeping and disarmament, remain essential to building a secure, stable world where people can live in dignity and without fear.

This year, 2024, will be the ninth consecutive year in which the Government allocation to Official Development Assistance (ODA) will have increased. This allows Ireland to maintain its long-standing focus on promoting the rights of people who are furthest behind. Ireland's ODA is delivered through multilateral organisations such as the UN as well as funding to Irish civil society organisations and bilaterally through Irish Embassies in developing countries.

In Ethiopia Ireland's ODA supports the strengthening of democratic institutions as part of the implementation of the 2022 peace agreement. In Kenya, our ODA reinforces women’s political participation, grassroots organisations and human rights defenders. We work with the Kenyan Human Rights Commission to monitor compliance with national and international human rights law. In Tanzania, our partnership with a local human rights NGO improves awareness and realisation of women’s rights, particularly related to child marriage, land and gender-based violence.

We also provide support to a number of civil society organisations focussed on protecting human rights through our various civil society funding steams, and to UN agencies working to combat human rights abuse, notably the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.