Vol. 435 No. 1
79 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will respond to the request of Nelson Mandela for assistance in preparing for South Africa's first democratic elections in April 1994, in view of the fact that of the 22 million voters 18 million have never voted before, and 9 million live in remote rural areas; and if so, the way in which Ireland will respond.
In announcing on 23 March 1993, my decision to include support for democracy and human rights as an integral part of Ireland's Official Development Programme, I informed this House that it was my intention that Ireland should play its part in assisting South Africa in transition from apartheid to a non-racial democracy.
Support for the successful organisation of South Africa's first democratic, non-racial elections next April was one of the issues that Mr. Mandela discussed with the Taoiseach and me during his visit on 10 October.
We are examining how we will respond to his request. The Twelve have recently sent a mission to South Africa to examine how the Community and its Member States could support the 1994 elections and its report is presently being discussed. I might add that one of the first tasks of the first Irish Ambassador to South Africa who will take up duty there shortly will be to identify areas where Ireland can play a role.
