Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 March 2013
49. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the following article (details supplied) regarding Israel and the Middle East; if he is of the opinion that it the article indicates bias; his views on whether it is inappropriate given the fact that Trocaire receives €15.5 million annually from State funding; and if he intends to raise the issue directly. [13441/13]
View answerThe Government’s aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger. Our partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) represents a very important element in this effort. Trócaire is one of a number of Irish NGOs that receives Irish Aid funding for its work to tackle poverty in the developing world. In common with other Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Trócaire undertakes awareness raising and campaigning activities which it considers relevant to its programmes. The Government respects the right of civil society organisations to campaign on issues which they consider relevant to their mission. It is not a requirement of this Irish Aid funding that every position taken by Trócaire must be one with which the Government is in agreement.
In this particular case, I have myself stated publicly that there is a strong moral case for settlement products to be excluded from the EU market, and that Ireland would support a proposal for such a ban at EU level.
