Thursday, 17 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 493-505

Human Rights

Questions (493)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

493. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, the European Union, the United Nations and the international community in general continues to focus on meeting the requirements of hardship, human rights deprivation, hunger and the threat of genocide arising from the situation in Syria; if any specific steps will be taken to safeguard the civilian population either through the provision of safe havens or no-fly zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45673/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ending the catastrophe which has befallen Syria, and which has imposed enormous burdens on the States neighbouring Syria, is critical to the stability of the Middle East region, the security and safety of the Syrian people and their neighbours. This has been a key priority for Ireland and its EU partners in recent years.

I welcome the announcements of 30 October and 14 November by international stakeholders, including the European Union and a number of EU Member States, in Vienna on the launching of negotiations, the holding of elections, working for a nationwide ceasefire and supporting unimpeded humanitarian access across Syria. I call on all parties to support the UN’s efforts and to commit themselves to work sincerely and with urgency for a nationwide ceasefire and a negotiated peace agreement. Ireland strongly endorses the efforts of the United Nations to renew peace negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communique principles, in particular the ending of violence, the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and a constitutional reform process which would protect Syria’s multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian character.

I believe that there must also be legal accountability for victims of the Syrian conflict and in 2014 we co-sponsored a resolution called for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

While I am appalled by the actions of the Assad regime and convinced that a political transition is needed, I want to make clear that, ultimately, it is the Syrian people’s right to decide on Syria’s future national leadership.

Ireland has pledged that our support for the Syrian people will reach over €42 million by the end of 2015.

Any decision on the possible establishment of a mandated safe haven or no-fly zone in Syria is a matter which falls to the UN Security Council. There is little prospect that any proposal for such a resolution will be approved by the Council at this time.

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Questions (494, 498)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

494. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his European Union colleagues continue to focus on issues arising in the wake of the Arab spring, with particular reference to those countries now in a state of civil war; the extent to which the humanitarian element of the refugee crisis continues to be the centre of focus; the likely actions required to address the emerging issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45674/15]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

498. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the United Nations can exert a positive influence in respect of the issues arising from the various wars throughout the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45678/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 498 together.

Conflicts and crises in the wider Middle East region continue to be of great concern to the international community, and to feature prominently on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council. Some of these conflicts have followed directly from the events of the Arab Spring, when authoritarian regimes were challenged and in some cases overthrown. Others have arisen separately. There are active conflicts at present in Libya, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and unrest or terrorist attacks in several others.

The United Nations is also actively engaged in efforts to resolve all these conflicts, with Special Representatives of the Secretary General leading attempts to convene or advance political processes as alternatives to fighting. The EU seeks actively to support these efforts in whichever way it can.

All of these conflicts give rise to very serious humanitarian concerns, both in relation to the violence inflicted on the civil population and the necessity to cope with consequent flows of displaced persons and refugees within the region and further afield.

I have reported to the Oireachtas in more detail on all these conflicts, and will continue to do so.

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Questions (495)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

495. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the European Union is likely to speak with one voice in addressing the humanitarian and refugee issues arising from conflict in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45675/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The scale of the migration challenge facing the international community is enormous. The conflict in Syria - the biggest driver behind this year’s migrant flows - has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. But the problem is bigger than Syria. An estimated 60 million displaced people worldwide are on the move, the highest since World War II. They are coming not just from Syria but from such places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza and a dozen or so countries in sub-Saharan and North Africa.

For most of this year Migration has been at the very top of the EU agenda. There have been no fewer than five special meetings of Justice and Home Affairs ministers devoted to migration while Heads of State and Government have debated the issue in three special councils. I and my foreign minister colleagues have also addressed the issue many times this year.

In June, the Foreign Affairs Council launched EUNAVFOR Med, the EU’s naval operation to disrupt the dangerous activities of people smugglers in the Mediterranean, which have tragically resulted in the loss of many lives. As the Deputy will know, the crews of the L.E. Niamh, Eithne and Samuel Beckett have done sterling work in saving more than 8,500 lives.

In September, the Government decided accept up to 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees as part of the European Commission’s comprehensive plan to address the migration crisis.

As part of its efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the refugee crisis, the EU organised two high level conferences earlier this year. On 8 October, a conference focusing on migration flows into the EU through the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans route took place in Luxembourg attended by both JHA and Foreign Ministers. The Conference issued a Declaration endorsing a five-pronged approach to addressing the migration challenge.

On 11/12 November EU Heads of State and Government met their African counterparts at a migration summit in Valletta. They agreed to establish a Trust Fund to address the root causes of migration in Africa. The €1.8 billion Fund is to be augmented by EU member state contributions. Ireland is contributing €3m.

On 29 November, there was a key meeting of EU Heads of Government with Turkey in Brussels at which the EU agreed to provide a financial package worth €3 billion to help Turkey accommodate the more than two million refugees residing in the country. As part of the agreement there is to be a concerted effort by Turkey to stem the flow of irregular migrants through its territory. This agreement – or Joint Plan of Action – presents a real opportunity to stem the flow of such migrants into the EU.

The scale and complexity of the Migration challenge means that there are no quick fixes. But in the past year the European Council, the Foreign Affairs Council, the Justice and Home Affairs Council and the General Affairs Council have adopted an extensive programme to address the crisis in the short, medium and long-term.

I trust the Deputy will agree that these initiatives demonstrate both the united approach of the EU, and its determination to see the refugee crisis resolved as soon as possible.

Middle East Peace Process

Questions (496, 505)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

496. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the various constituent bodies in the Arab-Israeli conflict continue to make themselves available for peace negotiations; if sufficient support exists to instigate a new peace process whereby issues of concern on all sides will be addressed before an independent entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45676/15]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

505. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the United Nations remains in contact with the Palestinian and Israeli authorities with a view to restoring peace negotiations that will examine the extent to which all factions can make a contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45685/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 505 together.

On a number of occasions in recent years it has proven possible, albeit with very considerable international effort, to bring both Israelis and Palestinians into a process of direct talks. International pressure has not, unfortunately, been sufficient to bring those talks successfully to a conclusion. Many reasons can be suggested for these failures, but they amount essentially to a complete lack of trust between the two sides, and a persistent reluctance by the Israeli Government to contemplate the difficult choices and compromises without which no negotiation can succeed.

I remain convinced that the conflict is entirely capable of resolution, if both sides can be convinced that it is in their own interest to end the current situation. The international community should concentrate its attention on creating those conditions.

The EU, the UN, the Quartet, the United States, and the Arab League are all active in trying to bring the parties and the process forward. There are special representatives of many of these permanently in the field.

It is not clear that any independent body, if such a body could be created, could add usefully to this already crowded field. I am not aware that either party has ever suggested it might be useful. Nor is it clear what such a body could be, who could appoint it, or to what extent it could exert any authority or be likely to be accepted by the parties as independent.

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Questions (497)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

497. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community remains conscious of impending starvation in Ethiopia arising from drought or other contributory factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45677/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ethiopia is currently experiencing one of its worst droughts in almost 30 years. Official Ethiopian Government figures indicate that 10.2 million people will require food assistance in early 2016. This is in addition to the 7.9 million people receiving food and cash transfers as part of the Government’s Productive Safety Net Programme.

The Ethiopian Government is leading the response to the current humanitarian crisis. It has provided US$200 million in emergency support in 2015 and a further allocation of $97 million has been committed to support food distribution in early 2016. However, given the scale and severity of the crisis, the Ethiopian Government has also requested assistance from the international community, including Ireland.

Our Embassy in Addis Ababa has taken a leading role, on behalf of all development partners, in dialogue with the Ethiopian Government and in advocating for a greater response from the international community. Embassy officials have met with the Ministers of Finance and Agriculture to promote the joint response by the Government and international community to the crisis.

Ireland has a long-standing engagement with Ethiopia, one of our seven Key Partner Countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This year alone, we have increased our bilateral programme in Ethiopia to nearly €28 million to address poverty, vulnerability and the impact of the current humanitarian crisis.

Through our bilateral programme in 2015, we have provided €10.4 million to the Productive Safety Net Programme, as well as €3.8 million to the Humanitarian Response Fund managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to address immediate humanitarian needs. A further €1.8 million in humanitarian assistance has been provided through NGO partners Trócaire, GOAL and Concern.

Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most vibrant economies. Timely intervention now will help ensure its economic growth and protect development gains. We will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds. In 2016, we anticipate that over 50% of Ireland’s bilateral programme in Ethiopia will continue to be targeted at meeting the humanitarian needs of those affected by the crisis.

Question No. 498 answered with Question No. 494.

Middle East Peace Process

Questions (499)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

499. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union and the United Nations continue to encourage Turkish participation in seeking a resolution to strife in the Middle East; the extent to which negotiations in respect of Turkey's membership of the European Union continue to be a feature in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45679/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Turkey is a candidate country for accession to the European Union. As such, it is working towards aligning itself with all aspects of the acquis communautaire, including Chapter 31 which deals with foreign, security and defence policy. The European Union maintains regular dialogue with Turkey, including on issues of foreign policy, and at a meeting of heads of state or government on 29 November, the EU agreed to intensity these high-level discussions. Most recently, the Turkish Foreign Minister participated in a working lunch with EU Foreign Ministers, which I attended, and where we had a productive discussion on the international situation, including Syria.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (500)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

500. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union and the United Nations continue to focus on the activities of Boko Haram with a view to bringing all possible peaceful influence to bear on the situation in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45680/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland, along with our EU and UN partners, has consistently condemned the brutal activities of Boko Haram which represent a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria, and the wider region, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. They also involve the clear and persistent abuse of human rights, especially of women and girls, and a direct threat to education and education facilities.

EU Foreign Ministers adopted detailed Conclusions last February, condemning the appalling atrocities committed by Boko Haram and confirming the EU’s readiness to provide support to the region with its full range of instruments. Since then, an EU Political Framework for Crisis Approach for Boko Haram has been developed, and EU support of up to €50 million for a Multinational Joint Taskforce has recently been approved. The Multinational Joint Taskforce, which involves troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin, aims to protect innocent people and to prevent the further spread of Boko Haram terrorism. The EU and UN have strongly commended this regional approach.

The EU has pledged to continue providing immediate humanitarian relief to those affected by Boko Haram activities and to increase its efforts at a regional level, mobilising €21 million in humanitarian funding last June for the four countries concerned. Ireland is also providing direct support of nearly €1.4 million this year to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by Boko Haram terrorism, including Nigerian refugees in Northern Cameroon.

The situation has also been discussed at the UN. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights convened a meeting on the issue on 30 June and a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Boko Haram was held to on 1 April. At these meetings, Ireland highlighted the terrible human rights and humanitarian impact of the terrorist violence. In July, the UN Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement expressing again its concern at the continued threat posed to international peace and security by Boko Haram, and encouraged increased regional cooperation to stamp out the terrorist group.

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Questions (501)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

501. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which issues of drought, starvation, famine, abuse of human rights and the use of child soldiers remain key concerns for the United Nations and the European Union, with particular reference to the Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45681/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Food security, human rights and the use of child soldiers remain key concerns for the United Nations and the European Union, including in the Horn of Africa.

The region is facing severe food security challenges over the next six months. Unpredictable weather conditions, due to the current El Niño weather event, are already causing severe droughts and flooding in Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea. The severe weather is particularly affecting agricultural production, and is having a detrimental effect on people’s lives and livelihoods.

UN Agencies and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund are playing a key role in providing humanitarian assistance. The EU has provided funding to respond to the crisis through the European Development Fund and the EU humanitarian budget. Further EU support is likely to be provided through the recently established EU Trust Fund for Africa, to which Ireland is providing €3 million over the coming years.

Ireland has also scaled up our humanitarian responses to reduce the impact on households and save lives in the worst-affected places. Ethiopia, one of Ireland’s seven key partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has been particularly affected by the current drought. We have increased our bilateral programme in Ethiopia to nearly €28 million this year to address poverty, vulnerability and the impact of the crisis. An additional €1.8 million in humanitarian assistance was provided through NGO partners in Ethiopia. Since 2012, Ireland has provided a total of €60 million for humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes in the Horn of Africa.

The human rights situation in the Horn of Africa remains deeply worrying. The UN Human Rights Council has been active on several countries in the region, including Somalia, South Sudan and Eritrea. The EU promotes human rights in the region through its support to human rights NGOs, its work on women’s rights and support for a free and independent media. The recently adopted EU Horn of Africa Regional Action Plan highlights human rights, rule of law and democratic governance as priority issues for EU engagement. The EU has also appointed a Special Representative to the Horn of Africa to co-ordinate EU efforts in the region.

The Government also monitors the human rights situation in the Horn of Africa and we highlight our concerns bilaterally, through the EU, and in the UN Human Rights Council.

There are disturbing reports of the use of child soldiers in several countries in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan. The UN is very active in this area, particularly through the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui. The most recent UN Report on Children and Armed conflict listed 12 armed groups in the Horn of Africa that recruit and use children in armed conflict.

UN Special Representative Zerrougui and UNICEF launched the Children, Not Soldiers campaign last year to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children as soldiers. Several countries in the Horn of Africa - including security forces and armed groups in Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan - have made commitments under this campaign.

Ireland has engaged on this important issue through addressing the root causes of poverty and under-development and by supporting more targeted and specific interventions through UNICEF and the International Criminal Court. We have also intervened on the issue at the UN Human Rights Council.

Western Balkans Issues

Questions (502)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

502. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the various countries in the western Balkans continue to meet the acquis communautaire; the extent to which various objectives continue to be reached in respect of European Union membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45682/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

There are currently five countries which have Candidate Status, including four in the Western Balkans – Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and Albania. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.

Ireland has long been a supporter of Enlargement. The European Commission continues to work actively to support prospective member states in implementing reforms in order to make progress on their respective EU paths, and the 2015 ‘Enlargement Package’ was published on 10 November. The ‘Package’ includes an overarching strategy, and progress reports on individual countries. The Enlargement process was discussed at the General Affairs Council on 15 December, when Ministers had an opportunity to discuss the progress of individual candidate and potential candidate countries in meeting the acquis communautaire, and comprehensive conclusions were adopted.

In general, there has been steady progress in the accession process for states in the Western Balkans, with the first two accession chapters being opened in relation to Serbia and eight more chapters being opened in relation to Montenegro. The coming into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Bosnia and Herzegovina in June, and the signing of the SAA with Kosovo in October were additional encouraging signs.

Progress in relation to the Republic of Macedonia and Albania has been more limited. While progress continues to be made, difficulties in the rule of law, restrictions on freedom of expression and corruption remain prevalent throughout the region.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (503)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

503. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community can bring about a positive influence in the situation in Iraq, with particular reference to the urgent need for the restoration of democracy throughout the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45683/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland is continuing to support efforts by the Iraqi Government, together with the EU and UN, to promote a political resolution of the current conflict in Iraq. We have repeatedly stressed that only a political solution based on reconciliation which recognises the rights of all Iraqis, in line with the September 2014 programme of the Government of PM Al-Abadi, can achieve a sustainable peace in Iraq.

Monday’s meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which I attended, adopted Conclusions which stated this position clearly, and called “on the countries of the region to play a constructive role and support the Iraqi Government in its efforts to restore long-lasting peace and stability in Iraq”.

EU Issues

Questions (504)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

504. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action that continues to be taken throughout the European Union to address the issues of euro-scepticism with particular reference to the growth of nationalist sentiments which if allowed to continue, could have a detrimental effect on the future of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45684/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The issue of euro-scepticism is complex and multi-faceted. The Spring 2015 Eurobarometer survey provides some insights into the views of EU citizens, recording that the image of the EU across the Union improved for the fourth consecutive time since autumn 2013. The same study showed that the proportion of Europeans who see the EU in a positive light has increased by six percentage points in the year since spring 2014 and by eleven points in two years (since spring 2013), and is the largest recorded since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2010. During the same periods, the percentage of Europeans with a negative image of the EU has decreased by six and ten points respectively.

It would be important that the Union’s response to more recent events and challenges facing the Union would continue to enhance public confidence. In this regard, dealing effectively with the current migration crisis as well as the continuing economic challenges is essential.

In Ireland, the Government’s focus is on building understanding and knowledge about our membership of the EU. This includes targeted spending on EU engagement, including support for the activities of local community groups and non-governmental organisations through the Communicating Europe Initiative. The Government also works closely with the European Commission Representation and the European Parliament Information Office in Dublin to improve communications on EU issues in Ireland and promote greater understanding of the EU.

A similar approach to communication has been adopted, with varying degrees of success, in other Member States of the EU, and the Institutions of the EU have invested heavily in making their work more accessible and more transparent to European citizens.

We must also work to ensure that the EU does its own work better. The Government has worked closely with the EU Institutions and with our fellow Member States to put the citizen at the heart of the EU’s work and to deliver concrete, tangible results of benefit to sustainable investment, growth and job creation.

The Juncker Commission has strengthened engagement with the public and made good on his commitment to develop a Commission which ‘’does things differently and does different things’’ and which is ‘’more ambitious on big things and more modest on little things’’. The 2016 Commission Work Plan continues to push big initiatives of importance to the Irish and the European citizen alike: the Digital Single Market, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the 2030 Climate and Energy Package, to name but a few.

The Government will continue its efforts to communicate Europe, and will, of course, work alongside the Governments of fellow EU Member States and the EU institutions to keep European citizens at the heart of the EU agenda. We are strongly supportive of EU-wide efforts to promote sustainable investment, growth and job creation, and we will work to keep the concrete delivery of results at the top of the EU agenda.

Question No. 505 answered with Question No. 496.