Vol. 859 No. 2
1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects a conclusion to the Northern talks on the matters of flags, parades and the past; the involvement he has had in those talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45072/14]
It is essential that progress is made without further delay with the issues that form part of the Haass talks, namely parades, flags, emblems and contending with the past. I hope the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, MP, will be able to report progress to both Governments, as once again there is a very tight timeline with a British general election due in the first half of next year. I welcome the fact that both Governments have become engaged in these talks over the past few months, as I stated consistently in this House before that the lack of engagement by both Governments at the time of the Haass talks was a missed opportunity.
I thank Deputy Brendan Smith and his party for their encouragement, support and assistance on this issue. Since 16 October, discussions have been ongoing in the political talks in Northern Ireland convened by the Irish and British Governments. These talks bring together the Northern Ireland Executive parties and the two Governments to address several key issues that have badly impacted on the reconciliation agenda and on economic renewal. The talks are structured around four streams: budgetary and financial matters; legacy issues, namely, parades, flags and identity, as well as dealing with the past; institutional issues including the effective functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive; and outstanding commitments from the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements.
The Irish Government’s interest in the talks is to ensure these agreements, and effective partnership government which is at the heart of them, work for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland and across this island. The talks are now in their seventh week. Since 16 October, I have been in Belfast for an intensive range of discussions on Wednesday and Thursday of each week, accompanied by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock. I travel there again this afternoon for a further series of meetings.
I have been encouraged by the constructive approach demonstrated by all parties to date in the talks. Productive discussions are taking place between the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties in a range of formats and across each of the talks’ streams. While encouraging progress has been made in several challenging areas, a good deal of work remains to be done if we are to bridge the gaps between the positions of the different parties. I do not underestimate the challenge involved.
It is clear the talks have now entered an important phase in which renewed and intensified efforts are required to achieve a comprehensive agreement. Both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, MP, and I will be reporting to the British Prime Minister and to the Taoiseach respectively on the state of play in the talks at the end of this week. I hope we will be in a position to report progress sufficient to maintain the engagement. I have said previously that it is my wish that these talks will be completed by the Christmas period.
I thank the Minister for his response and wish everyone participating in the talks continued success. I welcome the fact he said discussions have been productive. I note, however, a significant amount of work has yet to be done. Hopefully, it will be concluded successfully.
There is an obvious need to reduce sectarianism in Northern Ireland and a need to promote reconciliation. Has the British Government given any indication that it will provide the necessary resources to support progress in this area that would be put in place following a successful conclusion to the talks? I have in my mind the needs of the victims and survivors of the conflict. Support for those people needs to be prioritised with appropriate support programmes put in place in communities.
On the broader subject of the work of reconciliation, is the Minister aware there is widespread concern among community groups about the critical shortfall in funding needed for them to continue their work? That work is very important in the most disadvantaged areas. I have had both written and verbal communications from community groups from both traditions which are concerned about the challenges facing them due to shortfalls in funding.
I accept Deputy Brendan Smith’s point about funding for community and victims groups. The issue of victims is centre stage at the current talks with particular reference to dealing with the past. Unless and until this issue is addressed, there will be lasting scars of a serious nature in society in Northern Ireland and, to an extent, across the island. A significant proportion of the efforts over the past several weeks has been dedicated to the complex and important question of dealing with the past and its legacy that would involve victims, their families, relatives and friends.
Some work has already been done on these issues. We are following up on the good work undertaken in the course of the Haass negotiations. Issues considered during these talks included the need to make available appropriately resourced services for victims and survivors. This would also involve the establishment of a historical investigations unit and an independent commission for information retrieval.
The Irish Government provides funding across a range of issues on the matter of peace and reconciliation. I am pleased that in the recent budget, in spite of the challenges therein contained, that this funding will continue.
The community groups appreciate the support given by successive Irish Governments in supporting their work. To build on the substantial and important progress achieved in Northern Ireland through the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements, will the Minister agree it is essential to have progress on the outstanding aspects of the agreements? There is an onus on both Governments, as well as the Executive parties, to ensure progress on a range of issues. Will the Minister indicate to the House if there is any sign of progress in the re-establishment of the Civic Forum, the convening of the North-South consultative forum, the proposed Bill of rights, which needs to be agreed between the five Executive parties, and the Irish language Act? The recent comments of a DUP MP about the Irish language are utterly deplorable.
I expect to announce a further round of funding for reconciliation projects before the end of the year.
The Deputy referred to outstanding commitments in the agreements. He is right to point out that a number of elements of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement have yet to be fully implemented. He mentioned the establishment of the independent consultative forum which will be representative of civil society on the island. In this regard, the St. Andrews Agreement provided further that the Northern Ireland Executive would support the setting up of an independent North-South consultative forum. That issue has been raised by the Irish Government in the context of the most recent talks. Deputy Smith will also be aware that the Government of which he was a part submitted detailed proposals in September 2008 on the role, format and membership of that forum.
On the issue of the Irish Language Act, I agree with Deputy Smith's comments. This is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and in particular, of the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure. I regret that the principle as enshrined was not demonstrated in the recent comments by Mr. Gregory Campbell of the DUP. I deplore what were most unhelpful comments and recognise that they were deeply hurtful to many people across this island who are upset that our language was denigrated in such a way.
2. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the 50,000 undocumented Irish in the United States of America in view of recent political developments in the USA and the signing by President Obama of an executive order on immigration. [45230/14]
I submitted this question before President Obama's announcement and we now have more detail on what the US Administration is proposing. I note that there is cross-party support for this development but it falls short of what we would have liked to see. Now that we have had time to mull over the decision, I ask the Minister to give his opinion on it. I note that the Minister has warned undocumented Irish people against trying to return home for Christmas.
The Deputy will be aware that this is and will remain a key priority for the Government in our bilateral relationship with the United States. Through our embassy in Washington, headed by our ambassador, Ms Anne Anderson, and our consulates throughout the United States we are working closely with many individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond towards achieving some relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and improved channels for legal migration between Ireland and America. During my visit to the US from 23 September to 1 October I had a wide range of meetings on this important issue with Irish community groups and high-level government contacts, including Vice President Joe Biden, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and the Secretary of State John Kerry.
The House will be aware that last Thursday President Obama announced new measures which should benefit thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants based in the US. Pending further possible measures being considered by the US Congress, the President’s measures are a step forward which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on immigrants’ lives. The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, CIIC, has welcomed President Obama's announcement as an important first step in allowing for much needed improvements to the immigration system. At the core of his proposals is that undocumented immigrants living in the US for more than five years who have children who are US citizens or legal residents, who register, go through background checks and pay their taxes will be protected from deportation and given temporary legal status.
I particularly welcome a provision which, for the first time, albeit under limited conditions, will permit some travel from and to the United States for those undocumented Irish who are eligible to apply under the arrangements President Obama has announced. Details as to how the travel provision will work in practice have yet to be confirmed but through our embassy in Washington, we are following up on it directly with the White House and the Department of Homeland Security.
I know that staff at our embassy and consular offices across the US are having meetings on this issue. A note of caution is needed here because this is not a pathway to citizenship and people are taking a huge risk in choosing to go down this path. That said, there is real potential here and that is the main message in regard to this development.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the various immigration centres in the US are advising all undocumented Irish not to attempt to come home just yet. I urge the Minister to reiterate the advice to migrants that they should speak to those working in the immigrant contact centres before making any attempt to travel. Is there a time-scale for the roll-out of this initiative?
People are anxious to hear more information on this issue. What is happening on the ground? I think I am right in saying that people should be cautious. I ask the Minister to provide any additional information or details he may have.
I do not wish to raise expectations on this issue. Undoubtedly, this is a step in the right direction and represents real and substantial progress. It is an acknowledgement of the hard work undertaken over a long number of years but particularly in recent times by the Ministers of State at my Department, Deputies Sean Sherlock and Jimmy Deenihan, who visited the US on numerous occasions, the Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Pat Breen and by Members from all sides of the House who, over many years, have expressed a deep-seated interest in dealing with what has been a traumatic experience for tens of thousands of undocumented Irish in the US who have been unable to come home. They have been unable to return to visit their families and loved ones in Ireland and have missed funerals and weddings and so forth. They have been divorced from their families in a way that has been traumatic and that has caused great hardship.
The announcement last week from President Obama represents progress, albeit with further important steps yet to be achieved. I am happy that progress is real and am determined that as many Irish nationals as possible will benefit from these changes. It is estimated that there are up to 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US and that tens of thousands of them will be in a position to benefit from the changes announced last week.
An expression that has often been used in the context of immigration reform is "coming out of the shadows". If people take that first step and go down the road of registering with the social security service, the difficulty is that once they come out of the shadows, they cannot go back in. The changes announced may affect up to 5 million illegal immigrants in the US but what about those who fall outside the criteria? I am thinking, for example, of those who cannot have children, like members of the LGBT community. Has the Minister been given any information regarding the fate of those people who will be left behind in this process?
We were all expecting and hoping for a lot more from President Obama's statement. I do not know what advice was given to the President but he faces a situation currently whereby both the US Congress and US Senate are packed with Republicans. Has the Minister heard any positive messages from the Republicans in the context of coming up with some sort of deal on immigration reform?
This is a very important first step. I was pleased to hear Mr. Billy Lawless, the Chicago-based campaigner who has worked for many years on the matter of the undocumented Irish, give the President's announcement a very forthright welcome. However, I agree with Deputy Crowe that while the President's initiative is very important and positive, it is no substitute for legislative action by Congress. This Government, our embassy staff and the various immigrant groups will continue to work with the US Administration and with our contacts in the Republican and Democratic parties. We will be maintaining close contact and continuing our engagement. We have strong friendships across both aisles in Congress and will keep building our network of friends on Capitol Hill. Through our embassy and consulates we will continue to encourage further steps that will reflect the concerns and needs of the undocumented Irish and their families, as well as ensuring improved channels for legal migration between Ireland and America.
3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on addressing the ongoing issues concerning prisoners and ex-prisoners in Maghaberry Prison; the discussions he has had to date on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45320/14]
I wish to ask the Minister his views on addressing the ongoing issues concerning prisoners in Maghaberry Prison and ex-prisoners and whether he has had any discussions to date with any of the authorities in Northern Ireland.
The Deputy will be aware that policing and justice powers were devolved to the Northern Ireland institutions following the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010. Since that time, David Ford, MLA, has been Minister for Justice with responsibility for prison policy. An executive agency of his Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, is responsible for implementing prison policy.
A comprehensive review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service chaired by Anne Owers, which flowed from the Hillsborough Agreement, was published in October 2011. This review set out a path to reform the prison system in Northern Ireland. Implementation of the 40 recommendations made by Anne Owers and her prison review team is due to be completed next year and progress is overseen by an independent expert group which reports every six months.
Anne Owers recognised that Maghaberry Prison was unable to meet the challenge of seeking to provide appropriate security and sufficient and relevant activity for its long and short-term prisoners, including those imprisoned for paramilitary offences and the most serious and grave offences on the Statute Book.
On the recommendation of the Prisoner Ombudsman, Tom McGonigle, the independent assessors carried out a stock take of the implementation of the Roe House agreement in August and September this year. Their stock take report was published by Minister for Justice, David Ford, MLA, on 12 November and highlights areas of progress since 2010 and issues of concern to prisoners and management. The report was based on free access to Maghaberry Prison and to its prisoners, as well as extensive contact with the prison authorities, the Prisoner Ombudsman and representatives of the Prison Officers Association. I understand that any documentation requested was made available.
The independent assessors highlight the murder of a prison officer, David Black, in November 2012 by so-called dissident republicans as a significant challenge and a breach of the principles underpinning the agreement. Ongoing and recent threats against members of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and officials dealing with prisoner welfare have further complicated relations and damaged trust between the prison service and prisoners. All threats against those working in prisons and with prisoners in Northern Ireland are completely unacceptable and should be lifted immediately. I trust that the Deputy and all Members of the House will join me in condemning these ongoing threats to the health, welfare and lives of prison officers and those working in prisons in Northern Ireland.
As the Minister is aware, a group of Members of the Oireachtas has been visiting Maghaberry Prison over recent years. The most recent visit was on last Monday week when we met both loyalist and republican prisoners. We have met the Prisoner Ombudsman and the head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. We have met the Minister for Justice, David Ford, MLA, on several occasions, the most recent of which was last Monday. We have continually stressed that we are looking at the human rights issues regarding these prisoners. We are not endorsing, have never endorsed and never will endorse any act of violence. We also make the point made by the Minister about threats. However, there are ongoing human rights issues regarding full body searching; controlled movement; the care and supervision unit, which is the segregation unit; and revoking licence on the basis of closed information. There are also issues relating to health care and education and acknowledged infiltration by MI5.
There have been reviews, reports and inspections since 2003, including the Steele report and the Owers report mentioned by the Minister. There have been several reports from the Prisoner Ombudsman and now we have the stock take. The point is that there is a lack of urgency regarding implementing any of those recommendations. The same recommendations have been made continually. The murder of David Black is most regrettable, should never have happened and has been condemned. However, the lack of urgency in implementing recommendations is not helping the situation.
The recent stock take report was accepted by the Northern Ireland Prison Service and by the relevant prisoners and opens an opportunity to resolve outstanding matters in order that the unimplemented elements of the Roe House agreement can be achieved. The independent assessors recommend a timeline of six months for the resolution of outstanding issues. I would encourage all concerned to make the most of this opportunity. I have discussed these issues with the Minister for Justice, David Ford, MLA, and will continue to do so as appropriate. I also intend to meet over the coming weeks the independent assessors who concluded the stock take report. My officials continue to meet the range of agencies responsible for prisoner issues in Northern Ireland, including the Department of Justice, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Prison Ombudsman, and officials from the Northern Ireland Office on non-devolved aspects. I assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep a close eye on issues. I remind the House that these are people who have been convicted of the most grave and serious criminal offences on the Statute Book. Lengthy terms of imprisonment have been handed down to some of them for most unacceptable dissident republican crimes.
A number of the prisoners we have met have not been convicted of anything because they are in there on very long periods of remand. When we were there in May, there was great hope that the stock take would lead to progress. We were there last Monday week and one of the aspects of that uncontrolled movement had broken down because of the ambiguity between the prisoners and governors. Strip-searching is the most degrading and humiliating exercise for both the prisoner and the prison officer. Portlaoise Prison, which has many dissident republicans and gangland criminals, does not use this type of strip-searching. It uses all the other technology. The Northern Ireland Prison Service says that it tried this technology and it did not work, but was there any independent assessment of how it did not work? There is now faith that there could be an independent chair appointed to deal with these issues and I ask the Minister to encourage that during his next meetings. Our group is anxious to meet the Minister, and hopefully this can be facilitated before Christmas.
I am most familiar with the regime in Portlaoise Prison in my constituency but I am also cognisant of the points made by the Deputy regarding the meetings of the prison reform group concerning the strip-searching regime and the increased access to landings, all of which have been included in the stock take report. It is generally accepted, including by the Northern Ireland Prison Service, that the conditions in Maghaberry Prison are not ideal. Any prison regime requires a balance between the obligations on prison management to provide a secure and safe environment for staff and prisoners and the requirement to respect at all times the dignity of staff and prisoners. Where that balance is not achieved, an element of frustration has been expressed. However, this by no means excuses or justifies any threats, attacks or intimidation against those who work in the prison system, be they prison officers or people working towards the health and welfare of prisoners.
I understand that there has been a request from the Deputy's group for a meeting with me. I intend fulfilling that request notwithstanding the fact that my schedule between now and Christmas is rather engaging. I am travelling to Belfast as soon as parliamentary questions are completed. I will consult the Deputy and would like to have the opportunity to meet her group before the end of the year.
4. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider recognising the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45073/14]
I have tabled a motion in this House asking that Dáil Éireann reaffirm its support for a two state solution in the Middle East and calling on the Government on behalf of the people of Ireland to fully recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. I believe we should follow the lead of Sweden and the House of Commons in the UK and recognise the state of Palestine. The recent war in Gaza and the unwillingness of the Israeli Government to engage in meaningful and constructive negotiations with the Palestinians have resulted in a mind shift on how best to approach the conflict in the Middle East. As we know, Israel has a duty to abide by internationally accepted standards of human rights, proportionality and responsibility. Similarly, the Palestinian authorities must also act in a responsible fashion in their interactions with Israel.
Ireland has worked for many years under successive Governments to achieve a two state solution to the Middle East conflict involving the realisation of a sovereign Palestinian state. We have always looked forward, therefore, to being in a position to recognise a state of Palestine in reality and not just as a symbolic gesture.
Successive Governments and Ministers for Foreign Affairs have considered that a state of Palestine and Ireland's recognition of it should come about as part of a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East. All our actions remain geared to that ultimate goal and objective.
I do not have a closed mind on this issue. Sweden's recent decision to recognise Palestine has brought the issue to the fore within the European Union. In a number of member states, including Ireland, there have been strong parliamentary expressions of support for recognition, in most cases as an element of an overall solution. The Foreign Affairs Council, which I attended in Brussels last week, began a discussion among EU partners about the question of recognition. This discussion will continue over time. Clearly, if there is no prospect of substantive peace talks resuming in the near future, we will need to take close account of this in evaluating how we can advance our overall goal.
Our position is not set in stone. Against the background of a deteriorating situation on the ground, I will continue to consider any option, including early recognition of Palestine, which may advance the prospects for peace and help ensure the two state solution still has a chance of being realised.
As Deputies will agree, the question of international recognition of Palestine, while important, is not by any means a magic wand to resolve the conflict. More than 130 countries have formally recognised Palestine but the conflict continues. Only a comprehensive peace agreement will end the occupation and allow the full establishment of a Palestinian state in reality as well as in theory. That is the consistent goal of everything the Government is doing on this important issue.
I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. Given that Ireland was the first European Union member state to declare that a solution to the conflict in the Middle East must be based on a fully sovereign state of Palestine, independent and co-existing with Israel, does the Minister agree that this is an opportune time to take a new initiative? Does he also agree that bilateral recognition would act as an impetus for the much-needed renewed peace talks to which he alluded? Does he accept that the Israeli Government must change its approach both to talks and the Palestinian people? It should be reiterated that the Palestinians deserve equality in the negotiations and that recognising the Palestinian state would go some way towards achieving such equality.
Following our discussions at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, did the Minister have an opportunity, during the recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, to point out that the European Union must take a more proactive approach to the Middle East peace negotiations? I welcome his reference to the decisions of Sweden and the British House of Commons to recognise the state of Palestine and I hope he will continue to encourage the European Union, including the High Representative for foreign affairs and the Foreign Affairs Council, to take a more proactive approach to trying to advance the Middle East peace process.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak in the course of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. I repeated the point I made at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade when I expressed concern at growing tension and increasing violence on the ground in the Middle East. I also noted that if the violence and the expansion of settlements by the State of Israel continue, the viability of the two state solution will be called into question. The European Union agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council last week to continue to urge all parties to refrain from any action that would worsen the situation by way of incitement, provocation, excessive use of force or retaliation. We called on political leaders from all sides to work together through visible actions to de-escalate the situation. I make special reference to the unacceptable position at the Temple Mount, one of the many holy places in the region. Recent settlement activity in east Jerusalem seriously jeopardises the possibility of Jerusalem serving as a future capital of both sides. I will continue to keep Deputies informed on this issue.
I fully concur that the international community must be concerned about the provocative nature of the expansion of settlements by the Israeli authorities. This policy makes the two state ever more difficult to achieve. I also condemn in the strongest possible manner the murder of four people in their place of prayer last week. The Palestinian community must condemn this attack in the strongest possible manner. Similarly, the Israeli Government must show restraint, as retaliation will only lead to further retaliation and create a spiral of violence.
Is progress being made on the proposal by the European Union and individual member states to ban products from settlements? The Minister's predecessor indicated that specific measures would be implemented in Ireland to ban products from settlements, and I understand specific proposals were to be implemented throughout the European Union. What is the up-to-date position regarding such sanctions?
The strongest measure against settlement products is that higher tariffs must be paid on such products when they enter the European Union, whereas goods produced in Israel enjoy reduced rates. Work on these issues is continuing, although I accept Deputy Smith's point that it is not progressing at the pace people would like. Guidelines for the labelling of settlement products were put to one side while the talks were ongoing. We have raised the issue of bringing them forward, having regard to the fact that the talks continue to stall, and we will actively pursue the issue at European Union level.
Deputy Smith asked me why Ireland does not follow Sweden's lead. I confirm that a process of reflection on this issue is under way in the European Union. Following the recent Foreign Affairs Council discussion, senior officials have been charged by the Council with preparing an information paper on the issue. Ireland will be centrally involved in this, as we are on all internal EU consideration of the Middle East peace process. This morning, The Irish Times published a joint article written by me and my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland. I am not ruling out any option, including early recognition of Palestine, that will advance the prospects for peace and ensure the viability of the two state solution. I will continue to keep the House fully informed on this issue.
5. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the comments of Ms. Birte Hald, head of operations for the International Federation of the Red Cross, who has stated that most of the EU aid pledged to fight Ebola has yet to materialise on the ground; if he will confirm that all promised Irish assistance to fight Ebola has been paid and is reaching those on the ground; and if he will discuss this issue with his European counterparts. [45231/14]
Last week, the European Commission announced an additional €29 million in aid, bringing total EU anti-Ebola funding to €373 million. Member states have pledged millions more in funding and the total EU pledge, other than pledges to provide equipment and supplies, now stands at more than €1 billion. I tabled this question after the head of operations of the International Red Cross stated that Ebola is flaring up as aid agencies are struggling to keep staff on the ground and noted that EU pledges and donations have yet to appear. Will the Minister of State confirm that all promised Irish assistance to fight Ebola is reaching those on the ground or is part of a structured payment programme? Will he raise this issue with his European counterparts to ensure they live up to all their commitments?
The spread of the Ebola virus in west Africa continues to present a significant challenge to the international community. We have an obligation to strengthen our collective response in order that the necessary skilled personnel and medical facilities are funded, mobilised and deployed to west Africa to deal with the crisis.
I am aware of the comments to which the Deputy refers and I agree that all outstanding funding pledges must be met, quickly and in full. There is a moral obligation on donors to do so. It is only by tackling the Ebola virus in west Africa that we can ensure its spread will be arrested and lives saved. Ireland has been playing its part, however, through the work locally of our embassy in Sierra Leone and significant financial support for the Ebola response. The European Union and its member states have committed €1.1 billion to the Ebola response. Ireland will provide more than €17 million this year, directly and through non-governmental organisations, to the countries in west Africa most affected by the crisis. Some €10 million is being provided through our annual development programmes in our partner countries, Sierra Leone and Liberia. This support is focused particularly on strengthening their national health systems. We have also provided more than €4 million in recent months specifically for Ebola treatment facilities and work on contact tracing, community mobilisation and child nutrition programmes, among other activities.
Ireland has a strong reputation for acting on its pledges and I confirm that all of our announced funding has been delivered. In recent days, the Minister and I announced an additional grant of €221,000 for the supply of essential food and non-food items to families in Sierra Leone affected by local quarantine restrictions. This funding will be disbursed without delay.
I welcome the Minister of State's reply. My other question concerned the Minister of State's European counterparts. Will he raise the issue with them, given the fact they have pledged this money but it does not seem to be appearing? Is the Minister of State surprised the Red Cross head of operations has said only €2 million of the EU's €1.1 billion has gone to that organisation? There were reports yesterday that burial workers in Sierra Leone's third city dumped dead bodies in the street as a protest over not being paid in the past seven weeks. The Ebola virus has now killed over 5,500 people despite the huge sum of money that has been pledged. If the burial workers, who are a key component in terms of stopping this virus, are not being paid, this is a difficulty, particularly in Sierra Leone, which has seen an increase in infections in recent weeks.
Is any of Ireland's assistance going towards the staving off of possible famine and food shortages, given we are hearing that crops are not being planted? The agricultural workforce in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been badly hit by the outbreak, and while hunger has already been an issue in these countries, it could be devastating in the coming months.
With regard to the EU response, there will be a further discussion at the December meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, at which the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, will be present, on that very issue of providing an update on funding and how it is being disbursed from an EU perspective. The EU Ebola co-ordinator will present further recommendations at that time.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that, aside from the investment we are making in regard to assisting the health systems, the Irish response is part of the process. There is also the danger of the secondary humanitarian crisis that follows an outbreak of this nature, where there is already a weak health system. I visited Sierra Leone between 1 and 4 October and I am delighted to say we have a very strong embassy team in Freetown, headed by ambassador Sinead Walsh.
Thank you. I will come back to the Minister of State.
There are reports the Red Cross and MSF have complained that the majority of the volunteers have resigned. Many of the workers say they have been badly treated when returning to their home countries. We should use this opportunity to commend the Government of Cuba, a small country like ours, which has sent 165 people to Sierra Leone to help on the front line. The small nation has 50,000 Cuban-trained health workers in 66 countries. Sadly, one of its doctors has recently contracted the Ebola virus. We should use this opportunity to congratulate those countries, like Cuba, that have sent workers. Is the Minister of State concerned about this report of volunteers resigning? Is there anything more he believes the international community can do to encourage volunteers? We spoke about a similar programme for Ireland.
To pick up on the point about the Irish response, which is where we need to focus, the UN now has a mission on the ground which is co-ordinating the effort in the three most affected countries. The effectiveness of that response is as a result of an Irish influence on the ground because we are one of the few countries in the world that has a bilateral relationship with Sierra Leone - in other words, we have an embassy there. I would acknowledge the role of Irish workers, including our embassy staff, working on the ground with our agencies, such as GOAL and Concern. There are Irish workers on the ground who are having a major impact. We acknowledge the role of the Cubans and every other nation state for the workers they have sent but Irish workers are not only influencing at Government level, they are also influencing at United Nations level and they are an integral part of the response. Slowly but surely that impact is being felt in that we are getting ahead of it. It is important to note that the Irish taxpayers' moneys being disbursed are staving off a humanitarian crisis but also buttressing existing health systems on the ground.
