asked the Minister for External Affairs if having regard to the continuing flow of reports of starvation in the former Biafra territory, he will now request the Nigerian Government to admit Irish observers to that region; or if he will take steps through the International Red Cross or the United Nations Organisation to obtain agreement to the admission of observers from those bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nigerian Situation.
24.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to questions on this subject in the Dáil on 7th July, 1970, when I indicated that on that day I had received assurances from the Ambassador of Nigeria about the distribution of food supplies in adequate amounts in the area in question.
Is the Minister not aware that the secretary of the Eastern Region Rehabilitation Commission has stated that unless substantial relief in the form of food and money is made available immediately there is a danger that another two million people will die of starvation in the eastern region? Since this statement was made have the Government made any representations to the Nigerian government? Would they not submit to the Nigerian Government that if all things are well there is nothing to fear from having observers there and if they are not well human life may be saved by having observers and relief teams and food sent in?
I am not minimising the problem which is a serious one but we are in constant touch with and making constant representations to the Nigerian Government through our ambassador in Lagos and through the International Red Cross. We feel that it is through these agencies that we can do as much as we can within the limitations which there are.
Would the Minister state whether it is correct that only about £20,000 out of the £100,000 voted by this House some months ago for relief in the area has been spent? Could he tell us whether that is so and if it is so, why, granted the great need which exists, by his own admission, in the area, and granted the long time which has elapsed?
I have no exact breakdown of the figures but the money is available and there to be used.
How much has been spent?
I have not got that. That is a separate question.
That is unfortunate. In view of the fact that the session is coming to an end would the Minister agree to take a question on this next week, if the Ceann Comhairle would agree to that procedure? We want to be informed about this.
The Deputy would require to give notice of the day on which he wishes the question to be put down.
I will convey the Deputy's views to the Minister for External Affairs.
I might say that I appreciate the difficulty of any Minister in answering questions on this subject. I do not want to embarrass the Minister or to be polemical about this at all but may I ask the Minister if he would convey to the Minister for External Affairs this question, whether he would agree to receive personally a deputation from Africa Concern to discuss the very considerable number of humanitarian problems arising from the situation about which Africa Concern have been in correspondence with his Department and with the Department of Justice without satisfactory results so far? We would like to know that the Minister will be in close consultation with these bodies.
I will mention that to the Minister for External Affairs who will, I am sure, communicate with the Deputy. This is a very serious and complex problem and there are limits to what we can do.