Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
10. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with EU Foreign Ministers regarding Mali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8933/13]
View answerMali has been the subject of ongoing discussion by EU Foreign Ministers since March 2012 when there was an army coup and armed groups seized control of the north of the country. The issue was discussed most recently at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, attended by the Tánaiste. At that meeting the Council adopted comprehensive Conclusions which reaffirm the EU’s support for international efforts to support stabilisation in Mali and to counter the threat of terrorism.
Recognising that the issues in Mali cannot be addressed by military means alone, the Council also emphasised the importance of progress on the political track and especially the implementation of the transition roadmap which has been agreed by the Malian Government and Parliament. EU Ministers have underlined in particular the preparations for free and fair elections scheduled to take place before the end of July, and the establishment of a National Commission for Dialogue and Reconciliation in Mali.
The Council stressed the importance of international coordination on Mali and welcomed the outcomes of the meeting of the Support and Follow-Up Group which took place in Brussels on 5 February, and which I attended.
Following on from the important discussion on the resumption of development assistance to Mali which I chaired as part of the informal meeting of EU Development Ministers in Dublin on 12 February, the Council welcomed the gradual resumption of EU development aid, linked to implementation of the transition roadmap.
I am particularly concerned at the impact of the crisis on the civilian population of Mali, and am pleased to note that this issue was addressed by the Council on Monday, with particular emphasis on the plight of refugees and displaced persons. The Council also addressed reports of human rights violations in Mali. It is an important development that the EU has committed support for the deployment of human rights monitors in the country.
In its discussions on Mali, the Council reviewed progress on the deployment of the EU Training Mission in Mali. Active consideration is being given to the deployment of a small number of Irish Defence Forces personnel as trainers and Headquarters staff with that Mission and the Minister for Defence has indicated that he will be bringing a proposal on this to Government shortly. Ministers also reaffirmed the EU’s support for the efforts of the African Union and the regional authorities to put in place the African-led force.
In 2012, Ireland provided funding of €9.25 million for emergency food, water and healthcare to communities affected by the crisis across the Sahel region. Some €1,100,000 of this funding is currently supporting Christian Aid, Oxfam and Trócaire to provide life-saving assistance to vulnerable communities in Mali, through emergency food aid, as well as water and sanitation services.
