Written Answers Nos. 1-15
12. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to discuss immigration reform with the American Government regarding the status of the illegal Irish in America. [50105/12]
View answerThe Government continues to attach particular importance to the welfare of the Irish abroad in general and especially to the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish migrants will continue to be pursued by the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress, including by myself and the Taoiseach at every suitable opportunity. The advice of Ireland’s friends and contacts within the US Administration and Congress has long been that comprehensive reform of the US immigration system and procedures is likely to be the only manner by which such a resolution can be achieved. In welcoming the outcome of last week’s US Presidential election, I noted that the prospects for such reform would certainly appear to have advanced as a result of President Obama having won a second term. I can assure the Deputy that through our Embassy in Washington and in close liaison with Irish-American community representatives, our contacts with the US Administration and Congress will intensify even further over the coming weeks and months with a view to ensuring that the interests and concerns of undocumented Irish immigrants are captured in any future legislative deal in this area that emerges.
I would add here that much further debate and discussion is likely to be required within the US political system as to what such a deal might comprise. It is therefore not possible at this stage to specify its contents or identify an exact timescale in which these may become clear but as I have underlined, the area will continue to receive the Government’s close attention over the period ahead.
13. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his future plans for overseas development aid in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50172/12]
View answerThis Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s aid programme. Every day it makes a real difference in the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people. The programme is central to our foreign policy, has an enviable international reputation, and consistently enjoys strong political and public support. Over the past few years, and despite the very challenging fiscal position facing the Government, we have consistently maintained our level of contribution to Official Development Assistance (ODA) at above 0.5% of Gross National Product (GNP). In the current year, the Government has allocated €639 million to ODA which is expected to achieve an ODA/GNP percentage target of at least 0.5%.
This is an important and significant achievement and a very clear indication of our commitment to the aid programme, and to achieving the UN target of 0.7% of GNP. However, as I have stated on many occasions in the past, credible progress towards achieving the UN target can only be made through restoring sustainable growth in the economy. This is the Government’s absolute priority and we are working extremely hard to achieve this goal.
The 2013 budget is a matter for consideration by Government.
For 2013 our focus will remain on working with some of the world poorest countries, particularly those in sub Saharan Africa. We will continue to meet the enormous challenges of reducing poverty and eradicating global hunger, working through our well established partners in the key areas of health, HIV and Aids, education and improving governance structures. We will continue to provide vital humanitarian assistance to those caught up in emergencies and crisis situations and to support the United Nations and other International Organisations in their development programmes.
This Government remains ambitious for, and committed to, the aid programme. We are determined to maintain and build on its high international reputation, and to ensure that it continues to build the foundation of real change, future prosperity and wellbeing in the lives of many of the world’s poorest people.
14. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU colleagues, by their own volition or in conjunction with the UN, have been in a position to influence the situation in Syria with particular reference to the identification of some means to bring about a cessation of the hostilities with a view to the possible protection of civilians; if in the course of discussions on the issue it has been found possible to take any steps which might positively influence the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50155/12]
View answer45. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he has taken in conjunction with his EU counterparts regarding the Syrian conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50188/12]
View answer60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU colleagues continue to focus the ongoing situation in Syria with particular reference to identifying a means whereby the ongoing bloodshed may be brought to a halt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50461/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 45 and 60 together.
Ever since the Syria crisis erupted 20 months ago, Ireland has worked tirelessly together with its EU and international partners to end the appalling violence that has so far claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people and to launch a necessary dialogue among all Syrians for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Since his appointment which we have warmly welcomed, UN/Arab States Joint Special Envoy Ladkhar Brahimi has been engaged in extensive discussions with all the parties to the conflict as well as with the major international and regional powers, with the view to devise a way out of the current stalemate. His call for a ceasefire on the occasion of the Eid al Adha festival had received broad support including that of key regional players such as Egypt, Turkey and Iran as well as the backing of the UN Security Council, only for the violence to re-ignite a few hours into the truce.
Despite the Eid truce setback, we continue to support Mr. Brahimi’s mission as there is clearly no other alternative available. I am greatly concerned by the dangers of further militarisation of the conflict and do not believe that proposals for external intervention of any sort are likely to help in any way to bring about a peaceful solution to the crisis. I fear such an intervention would only lead to an escalation of the fighting and casualties among civilian population and potentially risk spreading the conflict to the wider region. The priority must remain to secure an early ceasefire and get a political process under way.
In order to compel the Assad regime to cease oppression and violence against its own people, the EU has adopted a series of severe sanctions, including at the last EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, which are proving effective in increasing pressure on the Syrian authorities. Yet, to be truly effective, sanctions should include a global arm embargo to cut the flow of weapons and arms making their way to Syria. For that to happen, the international community and the UN Security Council in particular should live up to their responsibilities and act decisively through adoption of an appropriately strong Council Resolution.
If a political solution to the crisis is to be successful, the Syrian opposition must do more to unite and agree on a workable programme towards political transition. So far the divisions between the internal and external opposition have only allowed Assad to maintain his no dialogue policy, arguing he doesn’t have a credible interlocutor. Ireland with its EU and global partners has been particularly anxious to ensure that the Syrian opposition overcomes its divisions and I hope the latest Conference in Doha will prove a turning point in gathering the entire democratic opposition under a single umbrella and with an agreed vision and programme of action on how they see Syria’s future.
We also need to continue urgently addressing the critical humanitarian situation arising from the conflict which has resulted in over 300,000 people fleeing to neighbouring countries and more than 1.5 million people internally displaced. Ireland and the EU have contributed significantly to the international efforts led by the UN in providing relief and humanitarian aid with Ireland contributing some €2.45 million to date, including €1.6 million to ICRC, UNHCR and WHO and also an additional €200,000 to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees within Syria.
Ireland and our EU and international partners will continue our strong support for all efforts to end the violence and suffering of the Syrian people and to promote the earliest possible political settlement and transition within Syria.
15. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the discussion he had with the President of Malawi and the President of Mozambique; and if there will be any changes to the Irish Aid programme in these countries. [50101/12]
View answerMy colleague the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, T.D., held bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Malawi and Mozambique on 16 October while he was in Brussels for the series of meetings and discussions organised by the Commission at the annual European Development Days event. Malawi and Mozambique are two of the eight priority countries for the Government’s development cooperation programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance.
I am satisfied that Ireland’s development cooperation programmes in Mozambique and Malawi are achieving very positive results, benefitting the poorest communities. As with all our bilateral aid programmes, these programmes are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are making a real impact and represent value for the significant investment by Irish taxpayers.
Minister of State Costello renewed our congratulations to President Joyce Banda of Malawi on her appointment as Head of State in April, and acknowledged the efforts she has led to improve economic and democratic governance in Malawi. They discussed in particular the challenges facing almost two million people in Malawi who are currently food insecure. The President expressed her appreciation for the additional support of €1m received from Ireland to help address these immediate needs.
In his meeting with President Guebuza, the Minister of State noted that Mozambique is the largest of Ireland’s bilateral aid programmes, and that remarkable economic progress is now being made in the country, despite the appalling death and destruction of the lengthy civil war which ended just 20 years ago. He outlined the thinking behind Ireland’s new Africa Strategy, and discussed the opportunities which exist for increased bilateral economic links between Ireland and Mozambique. The President noted that the authorities in Mozambique looked forward to engaging with members of the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts when they visit in November.
