Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 7

Written Answers. - Sudanese Conflict.

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

102 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an appeal by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland on behalf of the Presbyterian Church in Sudan seeking Government recognition of the desperate need for peace to be established in Sudan and to press for peace initiatives which would bring an end to the 13 year civil war; whether there is an aid programme available to help relieve the suffering of thousands of people, mainly women and children, who are without the basic necessities of life in the displaced persons camps in northern Sudan; the efforts, if any, made by him to bring the matter to the attention of the EU and the UN, particularly in the context of Ireland's Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22154/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I am aware of the appeal which has been made by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in relation to the urgent need for an effective peace process in Sudan. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the very important work being carried out by the Presbyterian Church in relation to the peace process and human rights in Sudan and on behalf of its people.

The Government shares the concerns which have been expressed by the Presbyterian Church about the ongoing civil war and the suffering of the Sudanese people. In this regard the Deputy will wish to be aware of the fact that I have today given a comprehensive outline of the response of Ireland and our EU partners to the situation in Sudan in my reply to Questions Nos. 105 and 106 which also relate to this matter.