Written Answers Nos. 339-363
339. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the report, Taking Sides: The United Nations loss of impartiality, independence and neutrality in Syria, and its findings of how the United Nations' response to the crisis is completely inadequate; and if Syria and other crisis regions such as Palestine indicate that the United Nations has limited influence in war zones. [19238/16]
View answerI share the deep frustrations expressed by the authors of the Taking Sides report. I have previously expressed my strong concerns that the UN Security Council has failed to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court and the lack of measures adopted to constrain the actions by the parties, especially the Assad regime, in their attacks on civilians.
I also accept that the distribution of humanitarian assistance by the UN has been hampered by the Assad regime, and this has also been repeatedly criticized by Ireland. I repeat these condemnations, and call for an end to all sieges and denials of humanitarian access. I believe that the UN faces an extremely challenging task because of the actions of the parties, especially the Assad regime, whose violations of international humanitarian law is unacceptable and must be held to account.
I do not support the call for ending all humanitarian assistance if such denials of access continue. Large sections of the population in regime held areas of Syria are also in grave need of humanitarian assistance and I do not believe that it would be acceptable to punish innocent civilians in regime held areas for the crimes of the regime.
However, I have also repeatedly made clear my support for the UN in its efforts to work for a political resolution. The fault for the failure of peace in Syria is not the UN’s, but lies with those who have consistently sought to use violence and are seeking to continue the conflict.
The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains a challenge for the entire international community – one on which Ireland is actively engaged – is not analogous to the situation in Syria.
The capacity of the UN to act to successfully address conflicts is dependent on the actions and policies of its Member States and the parties to conflicts.
340. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to address the concerns that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is ill-equipped to deal with the refugee situation in Greece; and if there should be a stronger role for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs funding to be directed to smaller groups working directly with the refugees and also funding to be redirected to the Greek authorities whose health service and economy are under massive pressure because of the additional pressures on their services. [19239/16]
View answerI share the concern about the situation on the ground in Greece, which remains extremely challenging, with over 57,000 refugees and migrants currently dispersed across the country in several sites on the mainland and the islands, despite a reduction in numbers arriving from Turkey.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) updated its regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan covering the eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans route on 10 June to take account of the new situation on the ground following border closures north of Greece and the entry into force of the EU-Turkey agreement. The updated Plan has shifted its focus from working with people on the move to targeting a more static refugee and migrant population in Greece and to providing protection to those in Western Balkan countries.
It is clear that the challenge of meeting the needs of refugees and migrants in Greece is a major one, and UNHCR recognises that many needs remain unmet. Living conditions in several sites across Greece are unacceptable and have indeed deteriorated due to congestion, and it is clear that additional resources are required. Ireland has provided €7 million in core funding to UNHCR this year, an increase of over 20% on our core contribution in 2015.
From our ongoing engagement with UNHCR, it is clear that it has in the past faced similar challenges to those in Greece currently, and that it believes it has the expertise, experience and mandate to address them. There are no indications that coordination is a particular issue at this time and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is limiting its role to monitoring the situation.
Regarding support to the Greek authorities in dealing with the situation, the European Commission has already released €83 million in emergency support to Greece so far this year, out of a total of €300 million budgeted for 2016. There is no doubt that the health service and the Greek economy in general are under enormous pressure but the funding difficulties faced by the health service, and the consequent deterioration in health outcomes, predate the current migration crisis. The Greek authorities, the Greek Red Cross and NGOs are working to provide primary health services to all the migrant centres across Greece and hospital access is available to those with more acute needs.
341. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met the Truth and Reconciliation Platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19359/16]
View answerOfficials in my Department have recently undertaken a round of consultation meetings with various victims’ groups connected to the Troubles in Northern Ireland to discuss the establishment of the Stormont House legacy framework. As part of this work, officials met with more than 20 victims’ groups who represent those affected by the Troubles. These included groups from both sides of the community within Northern Ireland as well as those representing victims and survivors both in this jurisdiction and in Britain.
I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Travers and Mr. Reavey from the Truth and Reconciliation Platform during their visit to the Oireachtas on 23 June 2016. I am also aware of contacts from the group with officials in my Department relating to some of their proposed projects. While no formal meeting has to date been requested, my Department looks forward to continuing to engage with the group.
342. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of personnel in his Department currently based in the Northern Ireland section; his plans to expand that section in light of the Brexit referendum result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19500/16]
View answer344. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of personnel in his Department focused specifically on dealing with the implications of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19502/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 344 together.
From the moment Prime Minister David Cameron first proposed a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU in 2013, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has worked closely with the Department of the Taoiseach on this important strategic issue for Ireland. Work is underway to ensure that capabilities and resources are put in place to manage the complex process of a UK exit from the EU.
I am happy to set out the resources which are in place in my Department as of today. Within my Department, lead responsibility for the UK-EU relationship lies with Ireland, UK and Americas (IUKA) Division, within which there is a dedicated British-Irish Relations Unit currently staffed by five officers. This Unit works very closely with colleagues in the wider IUKA Division, especially those colleagues focused on Northern Ireland. Supporting and sustaining peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland is a key priority for my Department and protecting the interests of Northern Ireland will be a crucial element of our approach to any negotiations regarding the UK’s departure from the EU.
The Department also has a Policy Planning Unit which was established in 2014 and has provided policy analysis to the IUKA Division. In addition, there is also an intra-Departmental contact group on the UK-EU relationship, comprising senior officials across all of the Department’s divisions and units.
In terms of Irish offices abroad focused on the UK-EU relationship, I would list in particular the Embassy of Ireland in London, the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh, our offices in Belfast and Armagh, and the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels. Missions across the EU and further afield are all working on this issue, especially as the expected UK exit process approaches.
I would also add that seven diplomatic officers of the Department are seconded to the European Union Division in the Department of the Taoiseach, while two diplomatic officers are seconded to the International and EU Relations Division of the Department of Finance.
343. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of personnel in his Department currently based in the Irish embassy in London broken down by section; his plans to expand that section in light of the Brexit referendum result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19501/16]
View answerA total of 46 officers are based in the Embassy of Ireland in London, including the Passport Office which is part of the Embassy. Of those, 31 staff are posted from Headquarters and 15 are locally recruited staff.
The possible resource implications of the UK referendum for the work of our Embassy in London and our other business units are currently being considered by my Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments.
Question No. 344 answered with Question No. 342.
345. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications received by the passport office in the past six months to date; the number of passport applications received from residents in Britain and Northern Ireland in the same period; the number of passport applications received from residents in Britain and Northern Ireland since 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19507/16]
View answerA total of 439,871 passport applications were received from 1 January to 30 June. Of these, 39,619 (9%) relate to citizens from Northern Ireland while 28,767 (6.5%) have been submitted from Great Britain.
In the period 23 to 30 June, the number of registered applications from Northern Ireland and Great Britain was 2,313 and 1,460 respectively.
While there is likely to be an increase in the number of first-time applications submitted from the UK and from British people living overseas, it is too early to assess how significant this will be. We are seeing an increased number of queries relating to passports and citizenship from Northern Ireland, Great Britain and elsewhere.
The Passport Service will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the effective deployment of staff resources and to minimize the impact of the high volume of applications generally on turnaround times and on customer service. The need for additional resources will be kept under review.
346. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff employed in his Department's archive unit in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; his plans to expand this number; if there are protocol changes arising from changes to the National Archives Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19617/16]
View answerThe staffing of the Archives Unit for the period in question is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
2010 |
HEO CO |
*1.9 *1.5 |
|
2011 |
HEO CO |
*1.9 *1.5 |
|
2012 |
HEO CO |
*1.9 *1.5 |
|
2013 |
HEO CO |
*0.9 *1.5 |
|
2014 |
HEO CO |
*0.9 *2.5 |
|
2015 |
HEO CO |
*1.9 *2.7 |
|
2016 |
HEO CO |
*1.9 *2.7 |
*FTE – full-time equivalent
In addition to the staffing above, a reviewer has been contracted for a 10 week period on an annual basis. There are two reviewers currently working in the Archives.
Changes to the National Archives Act are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I understand that Minister Humphreys is planning on bringing an implementation plan to the Cabinet regarding a change to the 30 year rule for the making public of Departmental Records in the National Archive. However, until that implementation plan has been finalised, it will not be possible to say what impact any changes might have on Departmental resources.
347. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of progress made with establishing an institutional framework for implementation and reporting with regard to the sustainable development goals in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. [19658/16]
View answerThe 2030 Agenda, and its seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was adopted by world leaders at the UN Summit in New York last September. It provides the framework for sustainable development globally, with universal application. My Department is engaging with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to establish the most appropriate institutional arrangements for implementation, monitoring and review of the (SDGs) at national, regional and global levels. This work includes consideration of the adequacy of existing governance mechanisms across Departments, based on the objective of achieving efficiency and effectiveness, coherence and inclusion.
We are also working with the Central Statistics Office which will perform a key role as part of the implementation framework and will support the development of national objectives and indicators that best align with the SDGs. Given that effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda at national level will require a broad and integrated domestic policy response across the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development, the national implementation framework will need to provide for coordinated engagement across Government as well as outreach to a broad group of stakeholders.
At the global level, Ireland’s implementation of the SDGs also requires my Department to ensure that Irish Aid, in its programming and policy, supports the achievement of the Goals in developing countries. Ireland’s aid programme, which is central to our foreign policy, will continue to focus on ending poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries in the world, notably in sub-Saharan Africa.
348. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of passport applications per annum from 2010 to 2015 and 2016 to date, in tabular form. [19659/16]
View answerThe total number of passport applications per annum from 2010 to 30 June is as follows:
|
Year |
Total |
|
2010 |
559,664 |
|
2011 |
544,890 |
|
2012 |
576,184 |
|
2013 |
575,522 |
|
2014 |
577,107 |
|
2015 |
618,079 |
|
2016 year to date |
439,871 |
349. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of applications for Irish passports from the United Kingdom per annum from 2010 to 2016 to date in tabular form. [19660/16]
View answerThe annual number of applications for passports from the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016 (30 June) is as follows:
|
Year |
Number of applications |
|
2010 |
73,334 |
|
2011 |
67,515 |
|
2012 |
78,890 |
|
2013 |
77,233 |
|
2014 |
82,809 |
|
2015 |
90,875 |
|
2016 year to date (30 June) |
68,767 |
350. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of applications for Irish passports from the United Kingdom per month in 2016 to date in tabular form. [19661/16]
View answerThe total number of applications for passports from the United Kingdom in the first six months of 2016 is 68,386. The monthly breakdown is as follows:
|
Month |
Total |
|
January |
7,677 |
|
February |
10,515 |
|
March |
10,870 |
|
April |
13,218 |
|
May |
13,912 |
|
June |
12,194 |
|
Monthly average |
11,397 |
351. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the implementation of the recommendations to tackle paramilitarism given by the independent paramilitary panel in June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19662/16]
View answerParagraph 4.1, of Section A in the Fresh Start Agreement provided for the establishment of an expert panel to bring forward recommendations “for a strategy to disband paramilitary groups.’
The three members of the panel were appointed by the First and deputy First Minister in December 2015, namely Professor Monica McWilliams, Lord John Alderdice and solicitor John McBirney. The panel reported to the Northern Ireland Executive at the end of May and their report was then published on 7 June.
The Report contains over 40 recommendations and the Executive are now to bring forward an Action Plan. I met last Wednesday in Belfast with the First and deputy First Minister and the new Minister for Justice, Ms. Claire Sugden MLA. They informed me that the Action Plan will be published in the very near future.
352. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of joint trade missions between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland undertaken to date; the number planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19663/16]
View answerAs stated in the Programme for a Partnership Government the intention is to increase the number of joint North-South trade missions to create new job opportunities for people on both sides of the border.
I am aware of two such joint trade missions involving a Northern Ireland Minister having taken place. The first of these was in February 2014 to the Singapore Air Show and Exhibition, and included then Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster. In addition, in January 2015, Minister Foster, together with a UK Minister and then Minister of State Nash attended the Arab Health Conference in Dubai.
I know that the Enterprise Bodies, North and South, work well together and I look forward to seeing an increase in the numbers of such joint trade missions in the coming years.
353. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on any ministerial level meetings held since the Fresh Start Agreement with regard to the north west development funds; the total allocation of finance towards the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19664/16]
View answerThe November 2015 Fresh Start Agreement contained a commitment by Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to support the regional development work of the North West Gateway Initiative which involves Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council.
As part of that support, the Government committed to provide €2.5 million funding towards a North West Development Fund to assist the work of the two local Council authorities which is to be complemented by matching funding from the Northern Ireland Executive.
My officials are in regular contact with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive Office and with the Councils in the North West, to help advance the new cross-border structures which the Councils have established and to develop the necessary governance arrangements for the Development Fund.
It is intended that the Fund will help support the cross-border strategic plan developed by the two Councils in the North West. On my visit in May to Derry and Donegal, I met with the Chief Executives of the two Councils and was briefed on their plans for the Fund to help support projects and measures to assist development and Community well-being in the North West Region.
At yesterday’s North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting, Ministers received an update on progress in the North West, including on the Fund. Ministers also agreed to look for a suitable date to meet in the North West to discuss with the Councils their new framework structures for the North West Gateway.
354. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total peak number of staff employed by the passport service per annum from 2010 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19665/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy on staffing in the Passport Service is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Permanent Staff |
Temporary Staff (TCOs) |
Total |
|
30 June 2010 |
*303.3 |
52 |
355.3 |
|
30 June 2011 |
*320.1 |
83 |
403.1 |
|
30 June 2012 |
*301.3 |
121 |
422.3 |
|
30 June 2013 |
*296.6 |
136 |
432.6 |
|
30 June 2014 |
*277.5 |
155 |
432.5 |
|
30 June 2015 |
*268.8 |
164 |
432.8 |
|
30 June 2016 |
291 |
200 |
491 |
*FTE – full-time equivalent
In order to respond to the seasonal spike in demand from April to August and a more general increase in applications this year, a total of 233 Temporary Clerical Officers have been recruited so far in 2016. The number of these officers in position at present is lower as a number of staff have been offered permanent positions and longer contracts in other government departments.
The Passport Service will continue to closely monitor the demand situation in order to ensure the effective deployment of staff resources and to minimize the impact of the high volume of applications generally on turnaround times and on customer service. The need for additional resources, including Temporary Clerical Officers, will be kept under ongoing review.
355. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the average turnaround time of passports in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19666/16]
View answerReports for the average turnaround periods for passport services are only available from 2013. This data is set out in the following table in working days:
|
Passport Service |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 (to date) |
Average |
|
Passport Express |
6 |
11 |
10 |
14 |
10 |
|
Northern Ireland Passport Express |
5 |
13 |
11 |
18 |
12 |
|
Great Britain |
14 |
23 |
21 |
26 |
21 |
|
Total number of applications |
478,758 |
491,360 |
526,061 |
383,403 |
In recent months the target turnaround period for Passport Express and Northern Ireland Passport Express (NIPX) was adjusted to 15 working days from the date of posting of applications. In terms of the overall performance over the last four years, the Passport Express service, on average, met its target turnaround time.
The target turnaround period for postal applications in Great Britain is six weeks. The performance in regard to this service since 2013 has been within the target.
The increase in passport applications of 11% year-to-date over the same period last year has resulted in pressures on the turnaround times.
To respond to the seasonal spike in demand and more general increase in applications a total of 233 Temporary Clerical Officers have been recruited so far this year. This is an increase of 62 officers on last year. Furthermore, processing work has been redistributed across passport offices and staff re-deployed from other areas of the Department as needed.
The Passport Service will continue to closely monitor the situation with respect to demand to ensure the effective deployment of staff resources and to minimize the impact of the high volume of applications on turnaround times and customer service.
356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his European Union colleagues have attempted to examine the consequences of an erosion of the founding principles of the European Union; if he can use his influence on the European Council with a view to a restoration of a vision for the European Union in line with that set out by the founding fathers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19763/16]
View answer357. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which to which he and his European Union colleagues recognise the need to reaffirm a commitment to the European Union ideal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19764/16]
View answer360. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is time for the European Union to set up a particular structure to address the issue of euroscepticism with particular reference to the urgent need to address the sometimes exaggerated claims which if allowed to go unanswered will undermine and destroy the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/16]
View answer361. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the concept of each member state within the Union expecting to increasingly impose its national agenda on the European Union's institutions can be addressed; if any steps are being taken to identify and re-affirm an agenda that applies to all in an inclusive and supportive format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19768/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 357, 360 and 361 together.
The issues which the Deputy raises are complex and there will be many views on these matters, particularly in the wake of the outcome of the UK referendum in June. Of course, I am well aware that, in individual Member States, there are those who would wish to leave the Union. However, this is not the position of any Government or Parliament.
At the European Council meeting in Brussels last week which the Taoiseach attended, the 27 EU leaders had a preliminary exchange on the best way forward. It was agreed that a period of further reflection would begin, and that they would have a more substantial discussion in the autumn. To this end, a meeting of EU leaders has been scheduled for September in Bratislava, hosted by the Slovak Presidency.
For the future, we must address the big challenges we face in a way that commands public confidence. We must work both to ensure that the EU emerges stronger from the current situation: that it does its own work better and that it is better communicated to the public. The Government will continue to work closely with the EU Institutions and our fellow Member States to put the citizen at the heart of the EU agenda for sustainable investment, competitiveness, growth and jobs.
358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, through the European Union or directly in the context of wider global consultations, can influence a review of the strength, the role and respect for the United Nations with particular reference to the need to meet ongoing challenges caused by war, strife and genocide and the need to establish safe havens for refugees and an orderly method of processing their respective situations; if any study has been done to identify the restoration of an increased role for the United Nations in the Middle East and other trouble spots globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19765/16]
View answerThe United Nations plays a critical role in the resolution of conflicts and the maintenance of international peace and security. It does this primarily through the UN Security Council which has, under the UN Charter, ‘primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security’. The Council has a variety of tools at its disposal to address threats to international peace and to contribute towards the settlement of disputes and conflicts: it has the power to authorise military action, deploy peacekeeping and political missions, and to impose sanctions against non-compliant States.
However, although the UN undoubtedly has a central role to play in addressing conflict, ongoing crises in the Middle East and Africa serve to underscore the need for the UN to be much more effective. Ireland, both directly and in co-operation with our partners in the European Union, continues to support efforts to reform the UN’s structures and systems.
In 2015, the UN Secretary General initiated three major review exercises which were aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the UN’s response to conflict. The findings from the high level policy reviews on (1) UN Peace Operations, (2) Peacebuilding Architecture and (3) Women, Peace and Security were published and are in the process of being implemented. Each of the reviews offered recommendations on how the UN can improve and reform its functions and structures particularly in relation to the global challenge presented by conflict and war. Ireland engaged fully with all three reviews, calling for the recommendations to be discussed and implemented as part of our broader calls for UN reform.
Ireland has also called for reform of the UN Security Council and has consistently stated that the Council needs to become more representative, more transparent and more efficient. Ireland has called for an expansion of Security Council membership to that end and for restraint in the use of the veto by the five permanent members. Ireland is a member of ACT, the ‘Accountability, Coherence and Transparency’ group in the UN, that launched a Code of Conduct in 2015 calling on all member states, including permanent members, to support timely and decisive action by the Security Council aimed at preventing or ending genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.
Regarding the situation of refugees in particular, Ireland has been tasked with co-facilitating the negotiations at the United Nations leading up to the Summit on large movements of refugees and migrants which will take place at the UN in New York on 19 September. The fact that this Summit has been convened is a clear sign that the UN recognises the scale of the challenges posed by large-scale refugee movements and the need to build international solidarity and momentum to address these challenges. It is hoped that leaders will be able to agree on a new set of global policy principles – the first of their kind – on refugees and migration. Inter-governmental consultations on the Summit outcome are already underway and will continue through the coming weeks.
More broadly, Ireland will continue to advocate, through a range of available fora, for reform of the UN’s structures and systems to ensure that it is equipped to respond to the challenges of the twenty-first century and fulfil its critical role in the maintenance of international peace and security.
359. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which access to humanitarian aid remains available to those affected by war, persecution or starvation throughout the known trouble spots globally; if he sees requirements for improvements to ensure victims' safety and that aid goes unimpeded to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19766/16]
View answer366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of locations globally to which Irish Aid has been in a position to deliver humanitarian assistance in the course of the past five years; the extent to which difficulties have been experienced in specific locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19773/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 366 together.
The international community is currently challenged by the unprecedented scale of humanitarian crises globally, as a result of war and conflict, drought and famine and the devastation caused by natural disasters. Over 65 million people are now displaced from their homes across the world, most of them living in situations of conflict. Ireland's total humanitarian assistance amounted to some €140 million in 2015 and is likely to increase this year.
Ireland’s humanitarian response focuses on the most severe crises, often protracted over many years, including those which do not receive attention in the media. The core objective of our assistance is to save and protect lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity, before, during and in the aftermath of such crises. Our assistance is focused on where needs are greatest, providing support to the most vulnerable and hard to reach populations.
Access to communities to deliver humanitarian assistance in situations of conflict is often very difficult. Irish Aid works through a range of partners, including NGOs, UN organisations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They have the experience and capacity to deliver assistance and are best placed to respond in any given situation.
Over the last five years, we have provided humanitarian assistance to crises in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa and across the Sahel. We have also responded to a number of sudden onset emergencies, including the earthquake in Nepal last year and Typhoon Hayian in the Philippines in 2013.
In this period, Ireland’s largest humanitarian response has been to the Syria crisis, with over €46 million provided to our partners’ operations both within Syria and in the region since 2012. We have also provided over €80 million for victims of crises across the Horn of Africa since 2013, including over €26 million for the South Sudan crisis alone. In addition, Ireland has provided support in major crises situations in Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Somalia and Ethiopia.
Over the last five years, we have supported programmes which are saving lives and reaching people fleeing from conflict, violence, drought, floods and famine, meeting their basic needs, enhancing their protection, improving their access to healthcare and clean water, providing food assistance and tackling malnutrition, and supporting them to find livelihood opportunities in the communities and countries where they are currently hosted.
We continue to monitor each major crisis situation to ensure that our assistance is reaching those most in need.
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the western Balkans continue to observe the acquis communautaire in line with movement towards European Union membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19769/16]
View answerThere 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 to assist in implementing the recommendations of the most recent ‘Enlargement Package’ published on 10 November 2015, and agreed at the General Affairs Council in December.
In general, there has been steady progress in the accession process for states in the Western Balkans: the first two accession chapters have been opened in relation to Serbia and twenty-four chapters are now open in relation to Montenegro – the most recent of these, on Fisheries and Food Safety, opened on 30 June.
Ireland welcomes the application for membership which Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted in February and also the coming into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo on 1 April.
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. The turbulent political situation in Macedonia has meant a period of particular instability in the country, while Albania continues to make progress on its key priority areas.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community can improve support for the victims of the war in Syria; if new initiatives are required to protect civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19770/16]
View answer367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, in conjunction with his European Union colleagues, can continue to combat the rise of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19774/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 367 together.
I have repeatedly made clear Ireland’s absolute condemnation of military attacks on civilians in Syria. Such attacks are crimes and those responsible, in particular the Assad regime and Daesh, must be held accountable for their actions.
Ireland, in conjunction with all our EU partners and 29 other States, sponsored a resolution calling for the Security Council of the United Nations to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court in 2014, a resolution which was vetoed by two permanent members of the Security Council.
The only means of securing the protection Syrian civilians from the Assad regime, as well as Daesh and Al-Qaeda, is through the promotion of a sustainable political solution to the Syrian conflict which has destabilised the region and whose brutality and promotion of sectarian violence been the key factor in the promotion of radical and extremist ideologies.
Ireland has been a key supporter of the UN’s efforts to achieve an end to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. 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 which will protect the rights of the Syrian people and preserve the pluralistic character, unity and sovereignty of a free Syria at peace.
Ireland’s total humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Syrian crisis will reach €62M by the end of 2016. This is Irish Aid’s largest response to a single crisis in recent years. Ireland’s funding to the Syria crisis is channelled via the UN, Red Cross and NGOs, and is spent on priority needs which include food aid, water and sanitation, shelter, education and protection (including child protection and prevention of gender-based violence).
This funding underlines Ireland’s continued commitment to responding to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and in neighbouring countries for millions of the most vulnerable Syrians, including refugees, internally displaced persons and their host communities.
