Michael Noonan
Question:65 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he has taken to pursue a solution to the situation in Sierra Leone. [20968/99]
Written Answers. - Sierra Leone Conflict.
The Government continues to support efforts aimed at securing lasting peace and stability in Sierra Leone. The eight years of civil war in Sierra Leone have caused untold suffering to the people there. I welcome the ceasefire agreed in July and call on all parties to the agreement to fully implement its provisions and to fully observe human rights and international humanitarian law.
As part of our ongoing bilateral support for the peace process in Sierra Leone, Ireland has taken an active interest in proceedings of the Sierra Leone contact group, and was represented at the most recent meeting of the group which took place in London in July.
This was attended by representatives of 22 countries, including Sierra Leone and its neighbours, the UN, ECOWAS, the European Commission and others.
We are also seeking to provide appropriate humanitarian assistance to the suffering civilian population. Ireland has been consistent in its support for the people of Sierra Leone, and continues to commit significant funds to the international humanitarian effort. Last year, when the conflict was at its height, the Government provided emergency aid totalling £379,000. This aid was distributed via the International Red Cross, the UNHCR and the Irish NGOs, Concern and Trócaire. In response to the ongoing crisis, Irish aid has this year provided £350,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance. This aid is being channelled via the World Food programme and the Irish NGOs Concern and GOAL for their respective programmes. In addition, the European Union, through the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), has provided almost 19 million euros in emergency humanitarian assistance over the last 12 months. A further package of 5 million euros is currently being planned.
Along with our EU and UN partners, the Government will continue to support diplomatic efforts aimed at consolidating a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict, and to provide appropriate humanitarian relief to the vulnerable civilian population, in addition to maintaining pressure on all parties to fully observe human rights and international humanitarian law.