asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he has applied for and has been granted permission to visit Nigeria; if so, when; and, if not, why.
21.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nigerian Situation.
20.
asked the Minister for External Affairs the amount of public money from Ireland to date (a) approved for the relief of hunger and suffering in Nigeria, and (b) actually spent, and the arrangements being made for the expenditure of the balance.
22.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what proportion of the £100,000 voted by Dáil Éireann for relief in Nigeria/Biafra has been expended.
23.
asked the Minister for External Affairs the number of Irish citizens in Nigeria (a) in 1965 and (b) now.
24.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he will agree to receive personally a deputation from Africa Concern to discuss what steps can be taken to resolve a number of humanitarian problems resulting from the Nigeria/Biafra war.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 to 24 together.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a statement showing the position regarding official funds (a) pledged by the Government, (b) voted by the Dáil and (c) spent for relief and rehabilitation in Nigeria. It will be noted that all the funds voted by the Dáil for this purpose have been spent.
On the question of my visiting Nigeria, as the object sought by me last January in applying for a visa, that is, the freeing of the imprisoned missionaries, was achieved, the matter was not pursued.
As regards my seeing a deputation from Africa Concern, no request for me personally to receive a deputation has been received from Africa Concern. My Department, however, is in touch with that organisation.
As regards the number of Irish citizens in Nigeria, it is estimated that there was a total of 1,400 Irish citizens in Nigeria in 1965 and that today there are about 750.
Following is the statement:
Governmental Assistance for Nigeria 1968-1970.
|
(a) Amounts pledged |
(b) Amounts voted |
(c) Amounts paid |
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
1. Irish Red Cross |
150,000 |
120,000 |
120,000 |
|
Emergency Relief Fund* |
15,000 |
15,000 |
|
|
2. UNICEF |
45,433 |
45,433 |
45,433 |
|
3. Post War Relief and Rehabilitation |
80,000 |
— |
— |
|
Total |
£275,433 |
£180,433 |
£180,433 |
*Part of grant in aid of the Irish Red Cross Society in the Defence Vote subhead BB.