Vol. 525 No. 5
182 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether Ireland plans any initiative to bring the attention of the international community to the huge problems facing people living in the Sudan; and his views on whether Ireland's membership of the UN security council will help highlight the plight of these innocent people. [25744/00]
The Government is deeply concerned at the ongoing civil war in Sudan and the enormous humanitarian impact it is having on the Sudanese people. We have raised these concerns on many occasions, both in public and privately. We attach great importance to efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the civil war and the negotiation of a comprehensive and lasting political settlement.
As an active member of the International Partners' Forum of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, we will continue to fully support and encourage efforts to bring about progress in the peace talks, and to reaffirm the importance of a constructive dialogue aimed at developing stability and co-operation in the country itself, as well as in the wider region. We will continue to raise our concerns and to offer our support for a long-term peaceful solution through our contacts with the Government of Sudan and other Governments in the region.
We have appealed to the warring parties to comply with the principles of international humanitarian law, particularly those relating to the safety of UN personnel, as laid down in the Convention of 9 December 1994, and to free access for NGOs to civilian populations in distress. In 1999 the Irish Government contributed £1,085,000 in emergency assistance to Sudan. This funding was channelled through the International Rescue Committee, UNICEF, the International Red Cross, Oxfam, Concern and GOAL. To date this year a total of £702,032 has been allocated.
