Peter Barry
Question:61 Mr. Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount received by Lesotho in overseas development aid in 1992; and the amount committed for the same purpose in 1993.
Written Answers. - Development Aid to Lesotho.
Peter Barry
Question:62 Mr. Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended to continue development aid to Lesotho in view of the non-acceptance of the democratic will of the people by the main opposition to the Basotholand Congress Party, as expressed in the recent general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Question Nos. 61 and 62 together.
The first democratic elections in over 20 years were held in Lesotho on 27 March 1993. Twelve political parties participated and all seats were won by the Basotholand Congress Party (BCP). The elections were monitored by a team of international observers, including three Members of the Oireachtas and an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The monitors found that the standard practice of free and fair elections had been followed. The result was upheld by the Chief Justice of Lesotho following a challenge in the courts by the main opposition party, the Basotho National Party.
Ireland and its partners in the European Community have welcomed the elections as a major step towards the restoration of democratic and accountable government in Lesotho. The leader of the BCP was appointed Prime Minister on 2 April 1993 and a civilian Government is now in power.
Lesotho is one of the priority countries in the Irish bilateral aid programme. Irish bilateral aid during 1992 amounted to IR£2.2 million. Planned aid in 1993 will be in the region of IR£2.57 million. In line with the commitment in theProgramme for a Partnership Government to expand Irish ODA, it is expected that Irish development assistance to Lesotho will be increased in the coming years.