Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
52. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Tanzanian Government to order thousands of Masai tribes persons to leave their traditional grazing lands to make way for what the Government says will be a conservation site; the negative effects this could have on the Masai community and the delicate ecosystem; and if he has raised it with the Tanzanian Government [23228/13]
View answerTanzania is one of the nine key partner countries for the Government’s development cooperation programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. The issue of land rights for pastoralist communities in Tanzania, such as the Maasai, is a complex one, which I take very seriously. I am aware of the specific land conflict referred to by the Deputy. It has remained unresolved for many years. Our Embassy in Tanzania, working with other EU Member States and UN agencies, is monitoring the situation closely and continues to raise the need for all parties, including the Government and the local community, to deal with the issue through open dialogue and constructive engagement.
Ireland has made a significant contribution to development and the fight against poverty in Tanzania. In the past decade Tanzania has recorded important improvements in human development, as measured by the UN Human Development Index. This progress, which has been made with Irish support and support from other donors, is a strong example of the success of international development assistance when delivered in partnership with a developing country Government. However, positive development results and respect for human rights must go hand in hand. Ireland remains strongly committed to helping build good governance and the rights of the most vulnerable in Tanzania and elsewhere. This will remain a clear priority area for the Government’s development policy, and our development assistance programme.
