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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 2

International Agreements: Motion.

I move:

That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Agreement Regulating Technical Assistance between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, which was signed in Cape Town on 26 August 1998, and a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 4 March 1999.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce this motion to the House at what is a momentous time for South Africa. President McAleese and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy O'Donnell, are at this moment in South Africa for the inauguration of President Mbeki, following the country's second democratic election. Democracy in South Africa has now come of age. While many challenges remain, particularly in terms of improving the standard of living of the majority population, the successful establishment of democracy in post-apartheid South Africa is a remarkable achievement by any standards.

Ireland is pleased to be able to make a contribution to continuing progress in South Africa by providing modest amounts of assistance in support of development activities. The purpose of the motion before the House is to approve the text of the agreement governing the provision of such assistance from Ireland to South Africa. I commend the motion to the House with confidence and with pride, as I am conscious of the commendable record of many Members of the Oireachtas in opposing apartheid.

Ireland has profound sympathy with the suffering of the historically oppressed majority population of South Africa. While the main cause of that suffering disappeared with the abolition of apartheid and the institution of democratic government, the after effects remain and will take many years to resolve. Since its first multi-racial democratic elections in 1994, South Africa has gone through a period of intense transformation and transition which Ireland has watched with interest and celebration.

South Africa's transition will enter a new phase with the inauguration of President Mbeki in Pretoria tomorrow. This has been preceded by elections on 2 June for which well over 17 million voters registered. An electoral code of conduct, an electoral court and voting regulations were put in place to help ensure the elections would be free and fair and would reflect the will of the South African people. It is now accepted that this has been the case. The successful holding of the elections consolidates the course of democratic transition initiated by President Mandela. It also reinforces the mandate of his successor, Thabo Mbeki, to meet the many challenges which remain in ensuring lasting unity, stability, inclusivity and reconciliation. In material terms, there will be the continued challenge of sharing equitably the dividends of progress and stability achieved since 1994. It is fitting, therefore, that Ireland will be represented at the presidential inauguration in Pretoria by President McAleese and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy O'Donnell. This will be done in the same spirit of partnership with which Ireland has opposed apartheid and moved forward with Pretoria in seeking to build a new and free South Africa. We must now support Thabo Mbeki in keeping aflame the torch of freedom passed to him by President Mandela for the benefit of all the people of South Africa.

The hope instilled by transition in South Africa has also permeated the entire continent of Africa. Despite being deeply absorbed in its own challenges of renewal and reconstruction, the country has, under the stewardship of President Mandela, maintained an outward focus. This has contributed to the growing positive dynamic which characterises the region of South Africa today. Despite the setbacks of more recent conflicts in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, this vision is helping to create and sustain hope in their peaceful resolution.

Recognising the far-reaching benefits of continued successful transition in South Africa, the specific objectives of Irish Aid's programme in that country are to support the development and implementation of Government policies, facilitate equitable access to essential services, assist the participation of people in the development of South Africa and support capacity building at all levels.

Projects implemented under the Irish Aid programme are decided upon as part of an agreed strategy developed during annual consultations between Irish and South African representatives. These consultations allow for an overview of South Africa's requirements and facilitate formulation of a cohesive strategy for Irish assistance. The last round of annual consultations took place in January in Pretoria.

The South African programme focuses on four sectors: education, health, rural-community development and human rights and democratisation. Projects are implemented by a number of South African NGOs, other local institutions and, increasingly, in co-operation with national and provincial Ministries. In addition, FÁS and Coillte seconded experts to projects in the Departments of Labour and Water Affairs, respectively.

Ireland is committed to supporting the promotion of human rights and democratisation, good governance and the building of a strong civil society in South Africa in co-operation with governmental and non-governmental organisations. Approximately 15 per cent of Irish Aid's current South African programme budget is dedicated to the promotion of human rights and democratisation in the country.

Irish Aid has provided support for South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Centre for Study of Violence and Reconciliation and, as part of that support, a Garda superintendent worked with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the Eastern Cape province. Irish Aid has also been working with the country's Department of Justice in establishing citizens' legal advice desks in a number of Magistrates Courts. Furthermore, in the lead-up to the recent elections, Irish Aid initiated a number of voter education projects as well as projects to promote support for the electoral process.

Irish Aid has committed itself to supporting development efforts in South Africa until 2004, that is, ten years after the transition to a multiracial democracy, by which time it is anticipated that the South African Government will have set in place the structures needed so that the social distortions caused by apartheid can be made good out of South Africa's own resources. Irish financial assistance to South Africa under the bilateral programme in 1999 will be £2.6 million.

Let us now consider the terms of the agreement for which approval is being sought. Bilateral aid programmes between Ireland, as a donor country, and recipient partner countries operate within the framework of technical co-operation agreements. Ireland has such agreements with six developing countries, namely, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. This agreement with the Republic of South Africa is similar to those in that it defines the rights and obligations of both parties with regard to technical assistance. It sets out the legal and administrative framework for programme implementation.

The agreement is a framework agreement and does not commit Ireland to any specific volume of expenditure. The cost of the Irish Aid South African programme will be borne from the bilateral aid fund of the Vote for international co-operation. Although the agreement does not commit the Government to the expenditure of any specific sum, it involves a charge on public funds. Accordingly, in compliance with Article 29.5 of the Constitution concerning international agreements, approval of the House is sought for the agreement. It gives me pleasure to commend the motion to the House.

In addition to bilateral co-operation between Ireland and South Africa, there are important links through the EU-South Africa relationship. In that context, Ireland has worked within the European Union to ensure the particular circumstances and requirements of South Africa are taken fully into account in the formulation of EU policy.

The European Union is actively seeking to support efforts by South Africa to consolidate the democratic process and advance economic and social change. South Africa is now a qualified member of the Lomé Convention and is currently involved with other African, Caribbean and Pacific states in negotiating with the European Union on a new Lomé framework. In addition, the European Union has close co-operation arrangements with the Southern African Development Community, of which South Africa is a leading member.

The European Union recently agreed a trade and co-operation agreement with South Africa which, when it comes into force, will allow most South African products enter the European Union free of duty as well as allowing reciprocal agreed arrangements. A central aim of the new trade agreement is to encourage the smooth and gradual integration of South Africa into the world economy.

As regards wider development co-operation, the European Commission has recently tabled a draft Council regulation on development co-operation to replace current co-operation arrangements when these lapse at the end of the year. The new framework will provide for substantial EU support to assist South Africa in the fight against poverty and in advancing essential economic and social change in the country.

I close with some words from the new President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, whose inauguration the President will attend in Pretoria tomorrow. In his victory speech President Mbeki said of South Africa:

In a very clear voice, the people have said that democracy is alive and well in our country. The people have directed us to move forward faster with our programme for reconstruction and development so that the goal of a better life for all is achieved sooner rather than later. The masses of our people have mandated us to maintain the peace and stability which democracy and good governance have brought our country.

We in Ireland share his hopes and optimism and hope to help in this challenging process of transition in whatever small way we can.

Debate adjourned.
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