Mary Flaherty
Question:8 Miss Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will give any financial assistance for the democratisation process in South Africa, especially for the task of voter education.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South African Democratisation Process.
I am anxious that Ireland should play its part in supporting the process of democratisation which is under way in South Africa. Earlier this year I told the Dáil that I regarded assistance for democratisation and institutions building as an important component in our bilateral aid programme. I said that Ireland would be stepping up its efforts in a number of countries. Since then, we have channelled funding for such projects through the Association of West European Parliamentarians Against Apar-theid, AWEPAA. We have supported the monitoring of elections in Lesotho and referenda in Eritrea and Malawi and we have also provided funding to AEWPAA for voter education projects.
It would be natural to extend similar assistance to South Africa at such a critical time in that country's development. A number of requests for funding have been received and I am considering these. I am also considering other ways in which Ireland can assist South Africa.
I welcome the Minister's indication of Ireland's positive intentions towards South Africa. Is the Minister aware that there are approximately 22 million black potential voters in South Africa who have never voted previously? In order that there is a genuinely fair election it is extremely important that an enormous amount of resources are directed towards these people.
I am fully aware that up to 22 million black people in South Africa have never seen a ballot box before and will be voting for the first time. There are also difficulties in regard to transport to polling stations. A very necessary programme is required for voter education. The President of the European Council of Foreign Ministers, Mr. Petersen, recently visited South Africa and reported to us at our meeting in Luxembourg during the past two days. On my suggestion, we hope to take an initiative in regard to voter education. This has to be done well in advance of next May. In the context of 22 million people voting for the first time and 7,000 polling stations, which many people believe will be quite inadequate, I do not believe it will be possible to achieve the voter education necessary in a short period of time. At our meeting, I requested EC Ministers to address this question as a matter of urgency.
In view of the undoubted progressive developments which are taking place in South Africa towards the establishment of the democratic process, and the great potential for Irish trade with that country, may I ask the Minister if he has given any consideration to the establishment of an agreement between the two countries on the location of embassies in Dublin and Pretoria and the inauguration of full ambassadorial exchanges between the two countries?
That is quite an extension of the question.
I have given consideration to this matter. In fact, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs spent a fortnight in South Africa during the past number of weeks. He has reported back to me on the present situation in that country. The question of the establishment of an embassy in South Africa is under active review at present. I agree with the Deputy that there are enormous opportunities for our Government in this regard. The South African Government still has a difficult road to travel but hopefully it will progress to establish democracy in that country, which the main parties now seem determined to do.
Obviously we will want to play an active role in the establishment of that democratic system. The Department is presently examining the projects we can support and help.
Is the Minister aware of an organisation known as IFEE, the Independent Forum for Electoral Education? Incidentally, there is a number of Irish priests and sisters involved in that organisation. Would the Minister examine a request for assistance from that organisation because what is most needed now is training facilities for the 20,000 or more local monitors that will be required prior, during and after the election? Will he consider allocating some of the moneys that will be made available by his Department to allow staff from local authorities or elsewhere who might be useful to take part in training in South Africa?
I think that sounds like a very sensible proposal. We are examining the best way in which we can help in terms of monitoring and voter education and we will certainly consider the Deputy's suggestion.
I strongly support the proposal of my colleague, Deputy Owen, to assist IFEE, which represents some 40 Church and lay organisations in South Africa and is already spending every penny it can get its hands on on a variety of programmes. Will the Minister pay particular attention to an issue that the situation in Angola has brought to the fore, that is that where democratic concepts have been absent for a long time we cannot walk away from the country after the election because there is need for an ongoing programme to support, defend and develop democracy? Will he ensure that in the consideration of bilateral and EC aid for South Africa — and, indeed, countries such as Mozambique and other countries that are engaging in the process of democoracy — that this be given more attention and more resources than in the past?
I agree with the tenor of the Deputy's request. The process is threefold: First, there is the preparation and the obvious ongoing discussions between the parties in South Africa; then the education process prior to the elections and the conduct of the elections themselves, which are complex and difficult and, finally, the process of ensuring that democracy is stabilised. That will be as difficult as the previous two aspects. In the context of our discussions at EC level we are very conscious that progress is being made in South Africa and that we have a major role to play in that regard. Because of the formal links that most European countries have with South Africa, there is a major responsibility on the European Community, which I believe will be honoured.