Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
23. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline any discussions he has had with his EU counterparts and other Foreign Ministers with regard to military action in Mali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23184/13]
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 situation was discussed most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council which I attended in Brussels on 11 March. In February the Council adopted comprehensive Conclusions which reaffirmed the EU’s support for international efforts to support stabilisation and counter the threat of terrorism in Mali, including the French-led Operation Serval and the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA). The Council also discussed the establishment and launch of an EU Training Mission in Mali, which is now working to support the strengthening and reform of the Malian army, including through important training in the area of human rights. Ireland is contributing six trainers and two HQ personnel for the EU Training Mission. The EU recognises that the situation in Mali cannot be addressed by military means alone. The Council has 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. We have underlined in particular the preparations for free and fair elections scheduled to take place in the coming months, implementation of a meaningful national dialogue and reconciliation process, and the need to ensure full respect for human rights for all of Mali’s citizens.
The Council has 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. We have underlined in particular the preparations for free and fair elections scheduled to take place in the coming months, implementation of a meaningful national dialogue and reconciliation process, and the need to ensure full respect for human rights for all of Mali’s citizens. All of these issues were discussed in detail yesterday, 15 May, at a major international Donor Conference on Mali, jointly hosted by the EU and France in Brussels. Ireland was represented at the conference by the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello T.D., who reiterated the Government’s support for the EU’s comprehensive approach in Mali. He also noted our support for the series of UN Security Council Resolutions on the situation in Mali, including Resolution 2100, adopted on 25 April, which authorises the establishment of the new UN Peacekeeping Operation for Mali, MINUSMA. It will take over from AFISMA on 1 July. The UN Mission has been given a mandate to use all necessary means to carry out its tasks, which include the stabilisation of key population centres and the re-establishment of State authority throughout the country; support for the implementation of the transitional roadmap, and the promotion and protection of human rights. MINUSMA will comprise 11,200 troops and 1,440 police.
At the conference yesterday, Minister of State Costello announced that Ireland will provide a further €2.5 million to respond to continuing humanitarian needs and to support the recovery of Mali. Already in 2013, Ireland has provided humanitarian assistance of over €1.8 million. Last year, the Government provided €1.35 million for relief in Mali and €9.25 million for the humanitarian crisis across the Sahel region.
