Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Return of Refugees.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

115 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received a request from a Bosnian human rights campaigner (details supplied) seeking assistance for local NGOs in their efforts to assist the return of Bosnian refugees to the municipality of Prijedor; the consideration that has been given to the request; if any assistance will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17926/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Officials from the Department met with Ms Nusretta Sivac, a Bosnian human rights campaigner, during her visit to Ireland earlier this year. At this meeting Ms Sivac was assured that the Irish Government, in common with its EU partners and the broader donor community, appreciates the importance of encouraging the return of all refugees and internally displaced people to whatever part of Bosnia they regard as home.

Since the Dayton Agreement in 1995, Ireland Aid has supported rehabilitation programmes in Bosnia that see minority return as a key objective. Programmes to rehabilitate houses and factories have been funded, creating the social and economic environment in which people can return to their place of origin knowing that they can have somewhere to live and that there exists a possibility of employment. Mine action programmes have also been supported by Ireland Aid, enabling people to return to areas that had previously been considered unsafe. In addition, in the last three years, a total of IR £550,000 has been disbursed to the Commission for Real Property Claims in Bosnia. This organisation was established by the Dayton Agreement and continues to enjoy substantial success in processing property claims that allow displaced people to return to their rightful homes.

As such, Ireland Aid has been, and will continue to be, consistently supportive of agencies carrying out rehabilitation work in Bosnia that encourages the return of refugees and other displaced people.