Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
36. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount Ireland will donate to the European Commission's trust fund for Africa; how this money will be spent; and if it will be taken from our annual overseas development assistance expenditure. [45394/15]
View answerIreland has committed to providing €3 million to the new EU Trust Fund to address the root causes of the migration crisis in Africa. The funding will be provided over the coming five years. Ireland will therefore provide €600,000 annually from 2016 to 2020. This contribution is being earmarked for the Horn of Africa regional window of the Trust Fund which includes three of Ireland's Key Partner Countries under the Government's development programme.
The Trust Fund is an important element of a comprehensive package of initiatives which the European Commission and the EU External Action Service are putting together to support stability in the North, East and West African Regions, to help tackle the root causes of instability, forced displacement and irregular migration. Ireland has consistently taken the position that, in addition to saving lives and dealing in a spirit of fairness and solidarity with those migrants and refugees who have reached Europe, the current humanitarian crisis requires comprehensive solutions that address the causes of irregular migration in countries of origin.
Given the nature of its activities, our contribution to the Trust Fund will come from our annual Official Development Assistance budget. This contribution will allow Ireland to have a voice in the governance of the Trust Fund. Ireland holds a position of Vice-Chair on the Fund's Board and is also a member of its Operational Committee.
