Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2019
116. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Saudi-led coalition has illegally stopped all commercial ships, including those carrying food and fuel, from entering the Yemeni port of Alhodeidah (details supplied); and if he will raise this urgent issue with his Saudi counterpart. [41745/19]
View answerThe ongoing crisis in Yemen remains extremely worrying. Ireland and the EU have been clear from the beginning that this situation can only be solved by political means, and that efforts to impose a military solution will be both fruitless and dangerous. We fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to bring about a political resolution, starting with the implementation of the December 2018 Stockholm Agreement, which was signed by the Government of Yemen and the Houthi de facto authorities.
After more than four years of conflict in this extremely poor country, almost 80% of the population of Yemen is in need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian access is a critical issue in a context where millions are unable to pay for food and medical care even when it is available, due to the collapse of the economy under the strains of conflict. Commercial access is also extremely important, since the Yemeni population cannot survive on aid alone. Bureaucratic impediments and delays to movements have unfortunately been common across Yemen, both in areas under Coalition or Government control, and areas controlled by the Houthis. It is imperative that the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement is progressed to ensure that humanitarian and commercial goods can enter Yemen freely.
The EU is the largest donor to the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM). UNVIM was established in May 2016 to facilitate more efficient verification that imports of commercial goods at Yemen's ports do not contain arms. Following the Stockholm Agreement, UNVIM has also been assigned the role of supporting the Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation in the management and inspection of ports. Ships are checked for arms and other contraband by UNVIM first in Djibouti and again at an arrival point 30km off the port of Hodeidah. The UNVIM operation is making an important contribution to ensuring the continued flow of commercial goods to Yemen.
I am aware of reports of a recent surge in the number of ships which are waiting to dock in Yemen, due to additional checks being undertaken by the Coalition after UNVIM checks. I understand that this delay in access is leading to a fuel crisis in Yemen which is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. UNVIM was established at the request of the official Government of Yemen, and these additional checks are not acceptable given the importance of these goods to the people of Yemen.
I understand that UNSE Griffiths is currently working with all parties towards a solution which will bring the ships currently being held by the Coalition to dock in Hodeidah. Mr. Griffiths enjoys our full support in these efforts.
I have made my views on the importance of unrestricted humanitarian access and the free flow of commercial goods to Yemen absolutely clear to the Coalition parties. At my last meeting with the Saudi Ambassador I relayed Ireland’s concerns in this regard directly, and officials from my Department remain in regular contact with the Saudi and UAE embassies. Ireland does not have contact with the Houthis but my Department has made our concerns known to Iran, which has lines of communication with them.
Ireland takes every opportunity to press for a political solution to the crisis in Yemen, and for an end to violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and for unfettered humanitarian and commercial access to Yemen. Since 2015, Ireland has provided over €21.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen, including a contribution of €5 million this year. Ireland will continue to do what we can to assist the political and humanitarian effort in Yemen, through supporting the efforts of the UN, as well as advocating for an end to the conflict in our bilateral contacts.
