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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Apr 1986

Vol. 365 No. 11

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Nicaraguan Talks.

5.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent discussion with the Nicaraguan Minister for Foreign Affairs; and if the Government have any proposals for aid for Nicaragua in the light of the continuing attempts by groups organised and sponsored from outside Nicaragua to overthrow the democratically elected government.

The Foreign Minister of Nicaragua, Fr. Miguel d'Escoto, visited me yesterday for a working discussion about the situation in Central America, and in Nicaragua in particular, with specific reference to the signing of the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America. Along with our partners in the Twelve, we consider the signing of this Act to be essential to the achievement of peace and reconciliation in the Central American region and this has been the primary objective of the Twelve's diplomatic efforts since they decided to support the Contadora process three years ago.

I emphasised to Fr. d'Escoto that it would be Ireland's wish to see a successful outcome to the forthcoming meeting of the Central American States and the Contadora countries in Panama at the beginning of June when it is hoped that the Contadora Act would be signed by all the participants, including Nicaragua. I would hope that by then there could be agreement on outstanding points in the negotiations such as those relating to the complex problems of military manoeuvres and control and reduction of armaments and a verification procedure acceptable to all signatories to the Act and that this could serve as a means of overcoming the climate of hostility and putting an end to the arms race, foreign intervention and policies of force in the region.

In regard to the second half of the Deputy's question, while Nicaragua, having regard to income levels, is not a priority country for Irish bilateral aid, we have over the past seven years participated in joint financing of programmes sponsored by non-governmental bodies to the extent of approximately £125,000. During the same period Nicaragua received £68 million in direct aid from the Community. In addition, the Community is prepared to consider further appropriate forms of economic support for the Central American region, including Nicaragua, when a political agreement among the countries of the region has been concluded.

Could the Minister indicate what initiatives he or the Government are taking, independently of the Community, in relation to the signing of the Contadora peace initiative? Could he also indicate what aid, if any, has been provided by Ireland to Nicaragua in the past 12 months?

The attitude of the European Community has been that a solution to the problem of Central America in regard to peace and stability should come from the region itself without outside interference. For that reason we encouraged the countries involved to sign the Contadora Act. To show our concern for what is happening in Central America and give encouragement to the various countries to sign the Contadora Act next June, the President of the Council of Ministers of the EC went to Panama when discussions were taking place there in March. He did so as an indication of Europe's interest, concern and encouragement to all the countries to sign the Act. At that stage Nicaragua felt that they could not sign but there have been certain movements since then. I hope that, given the undertaking that may be given to Nicaragua and taking into account what Ambassador Habib said about the cessation of aid to the Contras, such an Act can be signed on 6 June. With regard to the question about the amount of aid given I am not sure I have all the information.

Has there been any decrease in the amount of aid given?

Individual projects have been helped through non-governmental agencies. In 1979 £10,000 was paid out and £32,000 in 1982. In 1984 projects were aided to the extent of £12,000, £8,000 and £11,000. In 1985 a grant of £10,000 was paid to Trócaire towards the extension of a programme on adult education and a grant of £7,222 was paid to Gorta in respect of a project to establish rotative funds to provide credit for cattle co-operatives. A grant of £12,673 was paid to Trócaire in respect of a project to provide training for agricultural mechanisation and credit for setting up a co-operative. One project has already been approved for 1986, a grant of £17,093 which will be paid to Trócaire in respect of a community work project.

With the permission of the Chair I should like permission to raise the subject matter of Question No. 9 on the Adjournment.

I will communicate with the Deputy. We must now move on to Priority Questions.

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