Vol. 439 No. 6
9 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to requests for special assistance to Mozambique, both in the pre-election period and afterwards, to assist in the rebuilding of the devastated infrastructure.
13 Mr. Boylan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to requests for special assistance to Mozabique both in the pre-election period and afterwards, to assist in the rebuilding of the devastated infrastructure.
93 Mrs. Owens asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to requests for special assistance to Mozambique both in the pre-election period and afterwards, to assist in the rebuilding of the infrastructure.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 13 and 93 together.
The Government's Strategy Plan for Irish Aid, which the Tánaiste and I launched in July 1993, devotes particular attention to the needs of Mozambique. It recognises that the years of civil war have left the country devastated in terms of physical and human capacity. Over the coming period, the focus of the international aid effort in Mozambique will be on an intensive rehabilitation programme, especially in the infrastructure sector. As the strategy plan makes clear, Ireland hopes to play its part in that process.
In doing so, we are working closely with the Mozambican Government and in late January I met with the Mozambican Minister for Development, Mr. Jacinto Velose, to review progress to date. An exploratory mission visited Mozambique last year to assess how best Irish aid might assist. As a result, a budget of approximately £600,000 has been allocated for rehabilitation work in 1994. Later this month, an official of my Department is travelling to Mozambique to identify specific projects for support this year. In addition, funding will be provided to support election-related activities. For example, Irish aid has agreed in principle to provide funding of £30,000 to AWEPA in this regard and a formal proposal is awaited from them. Moreover, it is possible that additional funding will be provided through cofinancing with Irish NGOs.
Mozambique has been through a horrific period in its history. We are encouraged however that the peace agreement signed in Rome some 16 months ago is holding well and we look forward to playing our part in the rebuilding process, both in the specific ways I have just outlined and through other means as are considered appropriate and feasible.
I assume there is absolute approval for our policies on South Africa and Mozambique and that is welcome.
The Ministers are playing a blinder.
We will return to those matters.
I shall inform our colleagues of the position.
