Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 2

Written Answers. - UN Fund for Population Activities.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

65 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the financial contribution given by the Irish Government to the United Nations fund for population activities in the past three years; the reason this amount has increased during this period; if his attention has been drawn to concerns of British MPs and others that this funding could be directly or indirectly supporting the Chinese policy of one child per family, compulsory abortion, sterilisation and infanticide: if he will give an assurance, independent of assurances and information supplied by UNFPA, that this is not the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16837/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The links between demographic factors and trends and sustainable development are now accepted by all developed and developing countries, particularly in the aftermath of the International Conference on Population and Development which took place in Cairo in 1994. Prior to 1993, Ireland was the only EU member state not to have contributed to the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA. Given the growing importance of the population issue at international level, it was felt by the Government at that time that a contribution to UNFPA represented an appropriate response to the challenges posed by population growth, particularly in developing countries. Ireland has since then provided annual contributions of £50,000 in 1993, £100,000 in 1994 and £250,000 in 1995 in support of the valuable work of UNFPA in developing countries.

The UNFPA provides assistance in the field of population, including family planning and awareness and education programmes, in response to requests from developing countries. It is financed from contributions by governments and private donors. Its policy, as laid down by its governing council in 1995, specifically states that UNFPA is "not to provide assistance for abortions, abortion services or abortion-related equipment and supplies as a method of family planning".

I recently requested my Department to obtain verbal and written assurances from UNFPA that this policy is fully complied with in respect of all its activities. Officials of my Department accordingly met the deputy executive director of UNFPA on 13 October 1995. They received categorical assurances from him that UNFPA "has not and does not support any act pertaining to abortion". Subsequent written assurances have also been received to that effect.

I am aware of the concerns which have been expressed in some quarters, including recently by a number of British Members of Parliament, regarding UNFPA assistance for family planning activities in China. We have also received assurances from UNFPA that while it has provided support for family planning activities in China, it has carefully monitored its projects to ensure full adherence to universally accepted standards of human rights. UNFPA has emphasised that its family planning projects, both in China and elsewhere, are grounded on the principles of freedom of choice and informed consent.

UNFPA is a highly respected agency of the United Nations. Its word must be accepted in the absence of any information to the contrary. While I can appreciate the concerns that have been expressed in relation to UNFPA support for family planning activities in China, I must accept, on the basis of the oral and written assurances which we have been given, that UNFPA has acted in accordance with its policy and principles.