Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2020
97. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the unilateral sanctions of illegal and unilateral coercive measures imposed by the Unites States of America on Venezuela specifically are a significant cause of hardship to the civilian population and directly cause unnecessary deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16266/20]
View answer98. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the unilateral sanctions imposed by the Unites States of America on Venezuela have caused considerable disruption to the economy in Venezuela with knock-on consequences for the civilian population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16267/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.
I have expressed my deep concern on numerous occasions regarding the grave humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, where needs are very acute. The situation there is particularly critical in the context of the serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country.
Ireland supports the EU statement issued on 3 April that underlines the need for all actors in Venezuela to come together and find a united means to address the coronavirus emergency, for the benefit of the Venezuelan people. It highlights that the EU will continue, and will reinforce, its assistance to the people of Venezuela to help address the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the pre-existing humanitarian needs.
Ireland supports the call for international solidarity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I fully support the calls by the UN Secretary-General and by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell for sanctions régimes to be applied in such a way as not to hinder the provision of essential equipment and supplies to fight COVID-19 and limit its spread.
It is important that humanitarian exemptions provided for under UN and EU sanctions regimes are fully availed of and applied in an appropriate and timely manner in light of the current emergency. Through the use of these exemptions, Ireland, as an EU Member State, will play its part to ensure that sanctions do not impede efforts in the global response to COVID-19.
Ireland also joins the UN Secretary-General in urging countries with unilateral sanctions regimes to ensure that these sanctions do not in any way hinder the fight against COVID-19 or impede humanitarian assistance from reaching the most vulnerable.
I was pleased that Ireland was able to take part in the International Donors Conference in solidarity with Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the midst of COVID-19 that took place on 26 May, co-hosted by Spain and the EU and convened in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Ireland pledged €1 million to the UNHCR and IOM Regional Response Plan for Venezuelan migrants and refugees.
Ireland continues to believe that only a peaceful, democratic solution to the political, economic and social crisis in the country will offer the people of Venezuela a return to stability and prosperity. I will continue to monitor the situation in the country closely and engage with EU and other colleagues on this important issue.
