Vol. 446 No. 1
82 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will intercede with other EU countries in order to waive toll charges in respect of aid travelling from this country to Bosnia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1656/94]
I am prepared to support requests from humanitarian aid organisations for intercession with other EU member states to waive Government duties and charges, including road tolls, on aid from Ireland to Bosnia.
If the Deputy wishes to bring a particular case to my attention. I will be happy to act on receipt of the relevant information from him.
83 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that the aid from this country is reaching its proper destination in Bosnia; the safeguards that are in place to ensure that all aid reaches its destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1657/94]
To date the Government has provided IR£2 million from Ireland's Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Fund for the international humanitarian relief effort in Bosnia. Most of this assistance, IR£1.6 million, has been channelled through the UN system particularly through the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) which is the lead agency for the international relief effort in the region. A small amount of money has also been made available to Irish NGOs of which £132,000 was earmarked for a Rape Crisis Centre counselling project in Croatia with the balance going to relief projects in Sarajevo and in Mostar.
Officials from my Department visited Croatia and Bosnia in April of this year to assess the political and humanitarian situation there. They had discussions with the Croatian and Bosnian authorities and with the main aid agencies including UNHCR and the UN peace-keeping force in former Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR). One of the main issues discussed was the question of access for relief to affected areas.
The conflict in Bosnia-Hercegovina has highlighted once again the difficulties of delivering humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation. I am satisfied that the UN operation has sought to be fair in the distribution of aid to victims on all sides of the conflict in the region. Assistance has been delivered in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality as set out in UN Resolution 46/182 of December 1991. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UNHCR and UNPROFOR to ensure the effective, impartial delivery of emergency aid.
