asked the Minister for External Affairs if it is proposed to provide further relief for distress in Nigeria and Biafra this year.
30.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nigeria-Biafra Conflict.
29.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if further consideration has recently been given to the possibility of intervention by this country in order to bring about a settlement in Nigeria and Biafra; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
31.
asked the Minister for External Affairs the reason why the Government have refused to provide State aid to Africa Concern Ltd. to enable this Irish organisation to undertake direct relief for Biafran famine victims.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 29, 30 and 31 together.
As I explained in my speech on the Estimates for my Department on 28th October, the Government's policy is aimed primarily at supporting the efforts of the Organisation of African Unity and its member states to bring the parties to the conference table and to suggest ways in which negotiations may prove fruitful. We are continuing to pursue that policy.
On the question of relief, the Government have already announced that, subject to the approval of the Dáil, the following sums will be made available in the current financial year: (1) a sum of up to £25,000 for Irish Red Cross teams for either side, (2) a sum of £25,000 to be paid to UNICEF to help that organisation to charter the relief ship Columcille from its owners Africa Concern Ltd. for the purpose of transporting relief supplies and relief equipment for the humanitarian assistance of the victims of the Nigerian civil war, (3) a sum of £10,500 approximately (25,000 dollars) for the UNICEF relief and rehabilitation programmes on both sides. In addition, the Government have asked the Irish Red Cross to make a sum of £10,000 available to the International Committee of the Red Cross to assist that organisation's work on both sides. The total pledged assistance out of public funds is accordingly £70,000.
The Government's long standing policy has been to channel public funds for emergency relief through the Irish Red Cross or the various United Nations agencies concerned. I see no reason to depart from that policy.
In connection with our efforts to secure a settlement there, with the exception of our efforts to secure action through the Organisation of African States have we made any direct representations to the Governments outside, either to the Federal Government or to Biafra, in respect of arms shipments?
We have made all possible approaches to see whether there is any role that this country can play. That is as much as I would want to say about it at the moment.
In connection with relief, is the Minister satisfied that the relief which is being sent from this country through the International Red Cross has reached its destination and have we reconsidered the advisability of channelling any other relief through Caritas Internationalis?
I have examined, and I will probably be coming to the Dáil with a Supplementary Estimate, the need for making sure that what help we give is delivered. I still think we will operate through the Irish Red Cross in any moneys we give from the Government. I am examining the possibility of using other ways than the ones which now seem not to be operating to deliver the benefit we wish to bring to those starving people.
Is the Minister not aware that the great bulk of the relief supplies which have actually reached the Biafra area, which is by far the worst affected area, though parts of Nigeria are badly affected too, have actually gone through Joint Church Aid which includes Caritas Internationalis? Does he not feel that that organisation are worthy of any support directly given by the Government?
I think this can be handled. I am dealing with it at the moment and I am not in a position to make a statement. I hope to introduce a Supplementary Estimate soon and to be able to explain it. I am taking a note of who can deliver in deciding what organisations should receive our help. I still think it should be done through the Irish Red Cross.
If the Minister's inquiries satisfy him, as I believe they will, that the bulk of the supplies actually getting through from Sao Tome go through Joint Church Aid— and have gone in under all sorts of conditions—will he then agree that that organisation should get and will get a degree of Government support, as well as the Irish Red Cross, which certainly deserves it also?
I think the Deputy did not understand me when I said that we will give money out of public funds. We will give it to the Red Cross and they will send it where they think and we think it could be best used and be most useful. The Joint Church Aid at the moment seem to be the only people delivering aid there.
It is a question of getting through.
I agree that Joint Church Aid at the moment are the only people getting through.
I take it before we despatch by the Red Cross or others we will try to ascertain the prospects of getting through?
I am aware that the Joint Church Aid are delivering and have a sustained number of deliveries each week. They have an average number of which I am aware.
They deliver every night.
Yes, every night and an average for a week which is fairly well sustained. I believe if we are giving help we should give it to the organisation which can deliver. This is the purpose of our giving help for the relief of starvation and bringing in medical supplies.
Are we not at present giving it to an organisation that, on the whole, cannot get in supplies?
I do not know if I am being clear but I am half way through the operation of deciding——
I hope we are helping to speed the Minister on his way.
I do not want to make the speech I will be making on my Supplementary Estimate.
Otherwise the Minister will have nothing to say.