Written Answers Nos. 140-145
140. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the critical funding crisis facing the Inter-American Court on Human Rights; the implications that this crisis might have on cases such as that of a person (details supplied); and if he has taken steps through the European Union and bilateral communications with funding countries to address this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16288/16]
View answerThe promotion and protection of human rights is a priority theme of Ireland’s foreign policy and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has made an extremely valuable contribution to addressing impunity and raising awareness of human rights abuses across the Americas. Officials from my Department met the Executive Secretary of the IACHR, Mr. Emilio Álvarez Icaza, during his visit to Dublin in March 2016 and reiterated Ireland’s support for and appreciation of the work of the IACHR. I am aware of the funding crisis currently faced by the organisation and officials from the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC are following developments closely. Irish officials will also participate in a discussion on the issue at EU working group level in Brussels this week.
It is not clear at this stage what impact the funding crisis might have on petitions to the Inter-American court system. My officials will remain in close contact with the IACHR with a view to minimising any potential negative effects.
Ireland has in the past provided financial contributions to the IACHR for its work in supporting the work of human rights defenders in Latin America. However, the primary responsibility for ensuring the sustainable financing of the organisation and its activities lies with the States of the region. I echo the statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who, in his address to the United Nations Human Rights Council on 13 June, called on the countries of the Americas to support their regional human rights system through regular financial contributions.
The specific case referred to by the Deputy remains a priority for the Government, and my Department is in ongoing contact with the family involved.
141. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent report of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland into the Loughinisland murders in County Down in June 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16353/16]
View answer142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his proposals to discuss with members of the Northern Ireland Executive and with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, the recent report by the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland into the Loughinisland murders in County Down in June 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16354/16]
View answer143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his proposals to discuss with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, the widespread concerns about collusion by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the British Army with paramilitary organisations resulting in sectarian mass murder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16355/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 143, inclusive, together.
The report by the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland into the events surrounding the tragic murder of six men in Loughinisland in 1994 causes deep concerns.
My thoughts are first and foremost with the families of these victims for whom this report will be a very difficult reminder of their loss and pain. The Ombudsman’s report fundamentally vindicates the concerns the families have raised over many years and their continuing search for justice.
The Ombudsman’s findings are deeply disturbing; in particular his determination that “collusion is a significant feature of the Loughinisland murders”.
The report must now be carefully examined with a view to the question of further investigations and possible prosecutions. The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made clear that the PSNI remains firmly committed to apprehending those responsible for these appalling sectarian murders.
Despite its disturbing findings, the report is an important reminder of the central importance of the Police Ombudsman in supporting public confidence in the new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland, as envisaged in the Patten Report. I welcome the full co-operation of the Police Service of Northern Ireland with the Police Ombudsman’s investigation.
Cases involving collusion such as the Loughinisland Massacre, must be adequately addressed if we are to achieve a genuinely reconciled society. Successive Irish Governments, in our ongoing bilateral relations with the UK and through the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg, have consistently raised the issue of collusion with the British Government.
I intend on raising this issue again at my next meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Many families, including those bereaved by incidents in which collusion has been alleged, continue to deal not only with the awful pain of losing a loved one, but with the struggle for answers decades after these traumatic events. I understand and acknowledge the frustration of families who for too long have had to contend with inadequate mechanisms for addressing their cases.
The Police Ombudsman’s report is yet another stark reminder of the need to agree mechanisms for dealing with the painful legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. The establishment of a new comprehensive framework for dealing with the past, as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement, remains a priority for me in my engagement with the British Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland. I believe that these mechanisms offer the best hope of helping the thousands of families touched by loss of loved ones in the Troubles – including those affected by collusion.
144. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of the non-government organisations funded by Irish Aid since 2000. [16325/16]
View answerThe Government’s development programme, Irish Aid, strongly supports a range of NGO partners in delivering long-term development assistance in the areas of health, education, governance, nutrition, livelihoods, agriculture, social protection and human rights. Irish Aid also supports NGOs’ work in providing humanitarian assistance in emergency situations, and in promoting and delivering development education programmes. This support is based on the recognised role of civil society organisations in delivering assistance to those most in need, and the strong support for NGOs by the Irish public. Irish Aid funding to NGOs is provided directly from HQ and through our programmes in our Key Partner Countries.
Ireland consistently channels a higher proportion of our overall Official Development Assistance through NGOs than most major international donors. This has been acknowledged internationally, including in the OECD Development Assistance Committee’s Peer Review in 2014 which commended Ireland for the scale of its investment in the NGO sector, and for the policy engagement with civil society.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which manages the Irish Aid programme, is currently finalising the financial annexes for the 2015 Irish Aid Annual Report, which will be published shortly. The 2014 Report showed that 27% of Ireland’s total Official Development Assistance - some €167,092 million - was channelled through development Non-Governmental Organisations.
Since 2012, the Department has published details of Irish Aid funding to all civil society organisations of more than € 50,000 annually in the Irish Aid Annual Report, which is available on the Irish Aid website at www.irishaid.ie. The Question covers funding back to 2000, information on which will take time to retrieve from the financial system. My officials are available to assist the Deputy on further inquiries in relation to the details of this funding.
As an indication of the extent of the partnerships involved, the table below sets out the full list of NGOs funded by Irish Aid in 2014, the most recent year for which the details are available. This includes NGOs receiving funding below €50,000 in 2014.
The list of NGOs funded by Irish Aid in 2014 is:
Concern Worldwide
Trócaire
Goal
Misean Cara
International Committee of the Red Cross
Self Help Africa
World Vision Ireland
Christian Aid Ireland
Plan Ireland
Oxfam Ireland
Halo Trust
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Irish Council for International Students
Save the Children
Technoserve
Sight Savers Ireland
Concern Universal
Care International
Médicins Sans Frontières
International Medical Corps UK
International Rescue Committee
Sos Sahel Ethiopia
Action Aid
FAWE Uganda
Tilitonse
FHI Solutions
Clinton Health Access Initiative
Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation
VSO Ireland
Traidlinks
The Micronutrient Initiative
Helpage International
Childfund Ireland
Farm Radio International
Benjamin Mkapa Hiv/Aids Foundation (Bmaf)
Irish Fair Trade Network
Children In Crossfire
Aidlink
SNV Tanzania
Front Line
Comhlámh
Sonke Gender Justice Network
Helen Keller International
Save the Children
Tearfund Ireland
HIVOS
The Centre for Counselling Nutrition & Health Care
Sikika
Camfed International
Vita
Habitat for Humanity Ireland
Associacao Progresso
Uganda Women's Network
Transparency International
Mviwata
AMREF
The Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders - Hiv
Aids Foundation Of South Africa
MAG - Vietnam
Serve in Solidarity Ireland
Dóchas
Centre For Domestic Violence
Evangelical Association of Malawi
National Smallholder Farmers - Malawi
Haki Elimu
Inst.Estu.Sociais E Economicos
St. Simon Peter Vocational Training Centre
Oxfam GB
Irish Development Education Association
Suas Educational Development
Gorta
Aids Consortium
Straight Talk Foundation
Kivulini Women's Rights Organisation
Misa Zambia
Farm Africa
The Minority Rights Group
Bóthar
CHOICE
International Crisis Group
Platform For Social Protection
The Carter Centre
We Effect (formerly Swedish Cooperation Centre)
Health Poverty Action
Raising Voices
Anti-Slavery International
A-Z Children's Charity
Ndeke Primary School
Apheda Vietnam
Irish Forum For Global Health
Gorongosa National Park
Water Aid
War on Want Northern Ireland
Ecpat International
Value Added In Africa
Friends Of Londiani
Aids Partnership With Africa
CDI Vietnam
International Service for Human Rights
ISEE Vietnam
Zambia Open Community Schools
CBOS Inhambane
International Relief Development in Mozambique
The Asia Foundation Vietnam
Msd Vietnam
Civicus
Camara Education Ltd.
Viet Health Vietnam
Hope Foundation
Agricultural Non State Actors
Henry Dunant Centre For Humanitarian Dialogue
HAP International
Community Markets For Conservation
Irish Human Rights Commission
Glencree Centre For Reconciliation
Volunteers In Irish Veterinary Association
Christian Blind Mission Ireland
MRFCG
Orbis Ireland
Aidspan
Restless Development
Crisis Management Initiative
SA Hiv/Aids Information Dissemination Service
Yesh Din Volunteers For Human Rights
Gisha-Legal Centre For Freedom
Saferworld
John Paul II Justice And Peace Centre
Bimkom Planners For Planning Rights
80:20 Educating+Acting For A Better World
Community Led Total Sanitation Foundation
Safaids
Palestinian Centre For Human Rights
CRD Vietnam
National Youth Council Of Ireland
Al Haq, Law In The Service Of Man
Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Tanzania
Comet ME
Addameer Prison Support And Human Rights
Jerusalem Legal Aid & Human Rights Centre
Miftah
The Haven Community Foundation
Eco-Unesco
IBEC
Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Lourdes Youth & Community Services
Skillshare International Ireland
Sierra Leone Local Aid
International Youth Foundation
Law Society of South Africa
Family Aids Caring Trust (Chiredzi)
Diocese of Mutare Community Care Programme
UPR Info
Friends in Ireland
Latin America Solidarity Centre
Foundation Nepal
Amnesty International Irish Section
Dialogue Advisory Group (Dag)
An Taisce - Green Schools
CRS Vietnam
Pvtawelthungerhilfe/Gaa Vietnam
Institute Human Rights & Business Vietnam
Interpeace
Centre For Global Education Northern Ireland
Crisis Action Ltd
Global Alliance Improved Nutrition
Inter-Religious Council of Uganda
Development Perspectives
Inishowen Development Partnership
Uganda Episcopal Conference
Global Schoolroom
Pamodzi - Promoting The Rule Of Law
Women Fund Tanzania
Tools For Solidarity
Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Etb
Afri
Eil Intercultural Learning
Dennis Hurley Peace Institute
Martin Ennals Foundation
Acholi Education Initiative
Waterford One World Centre
Csds Vietnam
Plan International
Ground Work Llc
Kerry Action Development Education (Kade)
Cork Omdurman Partnership
Uganda Radio Network
Rural Development Center
Prospectus Consultoria E Servicos, Lda
Church Of Ireland Bishops Appeal
Zambia National Education Coalition
Vnu Vietnam
Friends Of The Earth Ireland
National Council Of YMCA’s In Ireland
Development Education Project Liam McCarton
St Bakhita School
Austrian Studycentre For Peace & Conflict Resolution
St Patricks Basic School
Monze Mission Hospital
Ner Clinic
The Irish Girl Guides
Show Racism The Red Card
Escola Prmaria Dom Luis Gonzaga
The Learning Project Asia
Mamas Club Uganda
Intelligent Solutions
Chisomo Children's Club
Pallotine Rehabilitation Centre
Csaga Vietnam
Giri Vietnam
Action For The City Development
Cheshire Homes Society Of Zambia
Bac Giang Social Protection Ctr Vietnam
Hospice Jinja Uganda
Renew Project Vietnam
Thanh Hoa Union Friendship Org Vietnam
Franciscan Missionary Sisters Of Africa
Dayspring Streetlife Project
St. Francis Naggalama Hospital
Uganda Law Society
Rugando College
Missionary Sisters Of Mary Mother Of The Church
Stella Maris Primary Sch. Nsube
Peter Phiri
Medical Missionaries Of Mary
145. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the income generated from mobile telephone masts at Garda Síochána stations in the Dublin region in each of the years 2014 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16135/16]
View answerThe income generated from licences granted to mobile phone operators in respect of telecommunication masts at Garda Stations in the Dublin Region from 2014 to date, inclusive of VAT is contained in the following table.
|
Year |
Income Generated |
|
2014 |
€1.7m |
|
2015 |
€1.2m |
|
2016 to end May |
€0.9m |
