asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure the safety of all Irish personnel in Somalia.
Private Notice Question. - Safety of Irish Personnel in Somalia.
I apologise for the absence of the Tánaiste, who is on his way home from Luxembourg. Since the deterioration of the security situation in Mogadishu on 5 June there has been regular contact with the Irish agencies who have personnel in Somalia and the United Nations. I understand that the Irish agencies have now withdrawn most of their personnel from Mogadishu and that only five Irish citizens remain.
The agency personnel are in direct contact with the UN authorities in Mogadishu and are in the best position to assess the security situation. There are, in addition, some 16 Irish agency staff in other parts of Somalia in particular, Baidoa. The question for their security is being kept under review. The Tánaiste has emphasised to the United Nations the priority which we attach to ensuring adequate protection for aid workers and will continue to stress this.
I would like to thank the Minister of State for her reply. Like the Minister and many other people in this country, I am deeply concerned for the safety of our excellent Irish personnel working in Somalia.
Is the Minister of State satisfied that it is safe for the remaining personnel to stay in Mogadishu as I understand that an offensive is planned for tomorrow against the militia? Is the Minister of State satisfied that the few people who are remaining will get sufficient protection?
Second, is the Minister of State satisfied that the Irish personnel working with the UNOSOM are safe? Finally, is the Minister aware that Concern alone, as one of the agencies, is feeding 15,000 people a day in Mogadishu with dry rations and that these people have not received any of these rations for about six days now? Will she ensure that as far as is possible there is a speedy return of all these excellent personnel to assist in the feeding programmes in Mogadishu?
There were three supplementaries there. First of all, the Tánaiste and the Department of Foreign Affairs are in regular contact with the agencies concerning the situation in Somalia. The question of whether personnel should be withdrawn is a matter for the agencies and for the individuals concerned and the people who are there have chosen to stay. The Tánaiste would not wish to issue directives on the matter and, indeed, does not have the power to instruct people to withdraw. We are very supportive of the efforts of the UN, and in Luxembourg the Tánaiste got the European Ministers to issue a declaration in relation to the situation in Somalia.
In relation to Concern, all I can say is that I will convey the Deputy's concerns to the Department of Foreign Affairs and ensure that that point is taken up and is followed up. We would all share the wish that the situation would calm down. An Irish transport unit will be joining UNOSOM shortly, and the legislation will be going through this House soon. We hope the situation there will stabilise so that the Irish relief workers, who have done such a terrific job in helping the people of Somalia, will be able to go back to that task and be able to carry it out in a peaceful environment. I have no information in relation to Irish personnel with UNOSOM. My understanding is that there were no Irish personnel.
There are some civilians.
I will take that up with the Department and communicate with the Deputy on it. We all share very strongly the humanitarian concern for the work that is being done by the Irish aid agencies. We all know that one Irish aid worker, Valerie Place, has already lost her life in the service of starving people and we would hope that that would not happen to anybody else. We very much salute the work being done by the Irish aid agencies out there. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Government will be giving them all the support that is possible.
Things have moved on quite a bit even in the last two hours. The United Nations has said that all aid workers should get out, although they said yesterday that they could opt to stay. They have also given notice to all relief workers remaining on in Mogadishu——
It is not in order to make a speech now. The Deputy may ask a supplementary question.
I am wondering if the Minister is aware that the United Nations has now given notice to the relief workers that they can no longer be afforded any protection. Although the Minister of State says that the Tánaiste would not see himself as being in a position to issue directives, would she not agree that he has a responsibility in the context of this country being a member of the United Nations to ensure that the United Nations protects aid workers in that country since the united nations compound is 200 metres away from the main relief workers' compound?
We would all wish to see the United Nations troops out there give adequate protection to the relief workers. That is why they are in Somalia. They are there to ensure that the work of peace, of trying to feed these hungry people can go on and to ensure that that is done in safety. I understand that the number of Irish aid workers in Mogadisu includes three Concern workers, one GOAL worker and one Red Cross worker. Outside Mogadishu there are 16 workers including eight or nine Concern workers, six or seven GOAL workers, one Red Cross and one Trocaire worker. Their agencies are in touch with the situation out there. I do not know what has happened in the last couple of hours in response to the call by the UN, but again I am sure that the sponsoring agencies have the safety of their personnel very much at heart and will be doing everything they can. I will convey the concerns of the Deputy to the Department and ensure that they are followed up with some speed.
Has the Minister of State any information about the availability of air transport for the remaining personnel who have opted to stay in Mogadishu for the moment? Is she satisfied that the UNOSOM force can provide immediate evacuation if that is required and which might be required literally within hours?
I am satisfied that the United Nations will do all in their power to ensure the safety of the relief workers.
That concludes Question Time for today.