Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:167 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has influenced the international community in mine clearing operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27829/00]
Written Answers. - Landmine Clearing Operations.
I strongly believe that one of the largest impediments to rehabilitation and development in post-conflict society is the presence of landmines. Since 1994, Ireland Aid has been involved in funding humanitarian mine clearance operations, as well as providing support for rehabilitation programmes for mine victims and mines awareness campaigns in affected countries.
Ireland fully endorses Article 6 of the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on their Destruction, December 1997, which commits each state party to provide assistance for the care, rehabilitation, social and economic reintegration of mine victims and for mine awareness programmes. The convention also commits each state party to provide assistance for mine clearance and related activities. Ireland played a leading role in the negotiation of the Ottawa convention and was among the first countries to ratify it in 1997. We continue to use our influence to advocate the importance of the Ottawa convention at every opportunity.
Since 1994 Ireland has spent over £6 million on demining and rehabilitation projects. Funding has been disbursed through a variety of channels and has been specifically focused on Mozambique, Bosnia, Kosovo, Chechnya, Angola and Cambodia which have been particularly badly affected by landmines. Since that time Ireland Aid has sought to develop a long-term relationship with our NGO partners for example, Halo Trust and Handicap International. Such a long-term perspective allows our NGO partners to develop their capacity safe in the knowledge that their programmes are assured of continued support.
Ireland Aid's country programme in Mozambique includes a significant multi-annual programme for demining and support for mine victims. Ireland is the only donor supporting demining in Niassa Province. The annual allocation is £240,000 which covers the costs of two demining platoons per annum.
In 1999 Ireland Aid allocated a total of £1,596,101 on mine action activities. It is expected that the final expenditure for 2000 will be higher.