Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Feb 2009

Vol. 675 No. 2

Adjournment Debate.

Job Losses.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

With the indulgence of the Ceann Comhairle I would like to share time with Deputy Shortall. Last Thursday morning the 1,135 workers at SR Technics were given the devastating news of the closure of the company's operation at Dublin Airport. Mr. Bernd Kessler, the chief executive of SR Technics, blamed the loss of major customers at the Dublin Airport facility, the downturn in the aviation business due to the recession and the so-called high cost base of the operation. Mr. Kessler said that the closure came after an in-depth review of all lines of business across the SR group.

The news is a shocking body blow to Swords and the whole north side of Dublin, west Dublin and much of east Leinster, including Meath and Kildare. For the 1,135 workers and their families the loss of their livelihoods is a cruel blow at the worst of economic times. Many of the families concerned had several family members involved and much of the workforce had vast aviation engineering experience going back to their days in Aer Lingus, Team Aer Lingus and FLS. For all of them, an SR Technics closure would be a dreadful tragedy. When I repeatedly tried to raise the matter last Thursday before being asked to leave the House by the Ceann Comhairle, I noted the major negative impact of the decision on thousands of other workers in the SR supply chain and on their families.

The first major question which arises since Thursday is why nothing was done to prevent this disaster by Bernd Kessler of SR Technics of Zurich and the majority Middle Eastern owners, Mubadala Development, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and Istithmar. When distinguished journalists were asking questions about the future of SR Technics six months ago, why was there no information or consultation with workers by Mr. Kessler and his colleagues? Over recent months, why were there not intensive discussions with the workforce and indeed all airport stakeholders to find a way forward?

A second, even more important question, arises. Last Friday and Saturday, I met many members of the SR workforce in my constituency. The overwhelming impression they gave me is that SR Technics should not be closing and that every effort should be made to rescue the company as a going concern. The workers detailed their excellent engineering and economic performance from Team Aer Lingus through the FLS period up to the present. Their renowned expertise in aircraft overhaul, the landing gear division, the auxiliary powers unit, line maintenance and the aircraft garage was recognised throughout the world. Critically, they believe that costs in Dublin were always sustainable but that their Zurich headquarters inflated charges to present the Dublin operation as unviable.

The last SR Technics Holdings annual report seems strongly to support the workers' case. The loss of the Aer Lingus contracts was a direct result of privatisation, which the Labour Party fiercely opposed, but it is also striking that there are ongoing problems with the Aer Lingus French contracts and that Gulf Air tried unsuccessfully to persuade SR Technics to keep the Gulf Air contract in Dublin. It is also alleged that many other airline contracts were deliberately diverted from Dublin. There is a profound suspicion that SR Technics Dublin is being closed to take capacity out of the air maintenance market and to destroy competition for the Zurich and Middle East facilities of SR Technics and its owners.

As I have told the Taoiseach over the past three days in the Dáil, his performance and that of the Tánaiste, IDA Ireland and the other State agencies involved has been appalling in the SR Technics matter. Nothing seems to have been done over many months to protect the 1,200 jobs. Once more we had a last minute meeting between the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coughlan, and an endangered company, which achieved nothing as usual.

A closure cannot be countenanced by the Irish State and aviation interests. If a sale, a management buy-out or a management worker partnership can be developed to run SR Technics as a going concern, what assistance can the Minister, Dublin Airport stakeholders and job creation agencies offer to any rescue plan?

We are putting €7 billion into insolvent banks but letting jobs in other sectors, including the critical aviation sector, evaporate. Let us start the jobs fightback by retaining the 1,200 jobs in aviation maintenance at Dublin Airport.

Deputy Róisín Shortall

I thank Deputy Broughan for sharing time. I am very disappointed that the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coughlan, chose to leave the Chamber. She was in the Chamber for the vote but she chose to leave rather than stay for this Adjournment debate. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, for attending but it is regrettable that the senior Minister did not choose to stay here to deal with this debate. Unfortunately, that has been a feature of the way in which she has dealt with this issue since it first arose. It seems impossible to pin her down. A number of requests by Deputy Broughan and I and other members of the Labour Party have been made for a meeting to deal with this urgent situation. Unfortunately, she has not seen fit to agree to that.

Like other representatives on the north side of Dublin, I have a deep concern at what is happening at the airport. There were more than 1,100 highly-skilled, good-quality, high net worth jobs in the airport. The outfit was very successful, as Team Aer Lingus first, then as FLS and more recently has SR Technics.

The jobs are important to the to the region, and the downstream jobs that arose because of this quality employment are too numerous to mention. Those jobs are in serious jeopardy. The company was very successful and it had a fine facility at Dublin doing excellent work with a first class safety record.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

Hear, hear.

Deputy Róisín Shortall

Out of the blue, the decision was taken to shift the operation. The decision was taken by people with no loyalty to this country, no consideration of the downstream effect of the decision on the region and no consideration by the Minister. It will affect the entire north Dublin region. It appears there was one brief meeting before the announcement was made. What happened at that meeting and did the Tánaiste, Deputy Coughlan, make any serious attempt to hold on to the jobs? I do not believe she did.

The management told us at the time that the reason they were pulling out was because costs were 20% over what they regarded as acceptable. What was done about that and what opportunity was given to deal with those overruns in costs? Those jobs could have been saved if the Minister had made a serious effort. I call on the Minister at this late stage to get the finger out, speak to the management in SR Technics and do everything she possibly can to protect and maintain those jobs for the north side of Dublin. We cannot afford to lose them.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

Hear, hear.

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Billy Kelleher)

It is with regret that the Government learned of the closure of SR Technics in Dublin Airport. I thank the Deputies for raising the matter and I know the Tánaiste's office has been in contact with Deputy Broughan in the context of arranging a meeting next week to discuss the issue. All Members of the Dáil know well the impact that job losses have on a community, individuals and families. These job losses will have a major impact on the employees and the broader community. Fianna Fáil members also had a meeting tonight to discuss this issue so everybody on all sides of the House shares the concerns of the Deputies opposite.

The Government learned about the closure of SR Technics recently, although the company's operation in Cork, which employs approximately 200 persons, remains unaffected. The Tánaiste met with representatives of the company on 11 February, along with the Secretary General of the Department and the chief executive officer of IDA Ireland. A number of meetings had taken place between State officials, agencies and the company in the past year. The company explained that it had been exploring all options for its Dublin operations, including a sale to another party. Unfortunately, it was determined that it was not possible to proceed with any of these options.

The company explained the global deterioration that had taken place in its business since mid-2008, with contracts moving to eastern Europe, Jordan, Turkey and Malta. The company confirmed that it was putting in place a five-year restructuring plan and that it had already reduced its worldwide workforce by 500 in the past year. The company stated that the recent loss of major contracts, current business and economic forecasts, along with the high cost base and over-capacity at Dublin Airport, made it impossible to continue a sustainable business in Dublin.

Deputy Róisín Shortall

Was any attempt made to deal with that cost base?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has said her piece.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

SR Technics provides line maintenance for the Aer Lingus fleet at the Dublin base. This is a long-term contract awarded by Aer Lingus in 2008 following a competitive procurement process. The company has indicated that it hopes to assign this and other smaller operations to another operator, which offers the potential of saving up to 200 jobs. Pending the outcome of negotiations on this issue, the company could not give the Tánaiste a definitive figure on the actual number of jobs likely to be saved. However, SR Technics will continue the line maintenance operations for the present.

IDA Ireland has had an ongoing relationship with the company over many years and approved a significant training grant package for the company in 2006 to assist it in maximising efficiencies and improving competitiveness. IDA also had discussions with the company on its business plan and further opportunities to assist the company with additional financial incentives such as research and development support with the emphasis on innovation and process development.

The Tánaiste will also be meeting union representatives to hear their concerns and to consider any proposals which they might have, and any assistance which the State development agencies, under her auspices, might be able to provide. This is in addition to supporting the workers in finding new employment, including assistance to re-skill and retrain to enhance their future employment potential. Any involvement by the State agencies, IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland——

Deputy Róisín Shortall

What is being done to save the existing jobs?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

——in regard to seeking the retention of any work currently carried out by SR Technics in Dublin will be dependent on a company or companies submitting proposals for consideration and seeking approval for State support for an undertaking in the normal way. We fully understand the concerns of the Deputies.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

When will the Tánaiste meet with us?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I believe there is a letter on its way indicating the Tánaiste will meet the Deputy next week to discuss the matters. I am sure Deputy Shortall could attend as well.

Deputy Róisín Shortall

It is about maintaining jobs. What was done to tackle the cost base?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

The State agencies had several discussions with SR Technics over a prolonged period of time. They looked at grants, availability of training and provision of business plans, etc. The State has tried to do everything possible to assist the company.

Deputy Róisín Shortall

Was there any attempt to reduce the cost base?

County Enterprise Boards.

Deputy Tom Hayes

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this very important issue. When the county enterprise boards were first set up, I happened to be a member of the local authority in south Tipperary and was nominated to the county enterprise board. I saw at first hand, in very difficult times, the role the board could play within the community. I know people who started industries which are now employing 150 people, with one in particular that came to the county enterprise board for a feasibility study. That young man was unemployed but now has 150 people in one of his several companies.

The county enterprise role is a very good model to support the many unemployed people and those losing their jobs right across the country. There are 400,000 to 500,000 people out of work nationally and in our constituency in Tipperary South there are 954 people on the live register in Cahir, 1,600 in Carrick-on-Suir, 1,900 in Clonmel, 818 in Cashel and 1,252 in Tipperary Town. The numbers will increase in these areas because of the effect of Dell in Limerick announcing the shedding of many jobs. That will have an impact in our part of the country.

I remember when county enterprise boards were first set up. They did really imaginative work to help many people with various skills to initiate businesses. Many people need help, whether it is with accounts, available grants or rules, laws and regulations. Such skilled people have ideas and can set up and run a company. There is a real role for the county enterprise boards, using FÁS, to act as the catalyst in helping people with banking or accounting skills, for example. The number might not be substantial but there is real potential in these people. Services are required and there is significant opportunity there.

This must be done in co-operation with FÁS and if that body could be tied in with the process, it would be a great way of helping people establish their own businesses. This could happen in the food area, as I come from a county that is rich in its food products. There is a need to expand concepts such as market garden farming and the country markets, which are increasing in number around the country. There is also the tourist element. The potential of the county enterprise boards is significant.

I ask the Minister to implement this as a policy to help people who are unemployed but who want to stay in this country and have an idea which could be brought to fruition. Regardless of the help these people require, it could be a very cost-effective process. The structures exist and the models are in every county. With a bit of co-ordination and support, we could do a great job in helping people in these dire times. People are frightened but they want to help the economy and get up on their own. They want to rear their families themselves rather than come to the Government looking for something. This would give such people a start.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

We are in the most challenging economic environment that has confronted our nation in modern times. The Government has acknowledged this and has embarked on addressing this situation in a concerted fashion. The Government focused on safeguarding the financial system so that it could continue to operate to sustain the real economy and in particular contribute positively to the enterprise sector. Government action on the banks guarantee scheme, the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank and the recapitalisation scheme has been timely, proportionate and essential.

Under the recapitalisation scheme, AIB and Bank of Ireland have committed to increasing their lending capacity to small and medium enterprises by 10%. As part of the package, the Financial Regulator has introduced a code of conduct for business lending to small and medium enterprises which will facilitate lending to small and medium enterprises and promote greater transparency in the treatment of small and medium enterprises by the banks. The code extends beyond AIB and Bank of Ireland and covers the primary lending banks.

In our document Building Ireland's Smart Economy, the Government put forward a framework for sustainable economic renewal. This document sets out actions to reorganise the economy over the next five years to secure the prosperity of current and future generations. Central to our economic renewal is a thriving enterprise sector, high-quality employment, secure energy supplies, an attractive environment and first class infrastructure. The Government is also addressing public spending in terms of bridging the gap between budgetary demands and Exchequer inflows and focusing on how to achieve significant savings. We have already made decisions on measures to effect savings of €2 billion in 2009.

All of these measures will sustain our economy and ensure that we are well positioned for the economic upturn when it arises. These efforts will directly assist enterprise activity within the economy, particularly at the level of small and medium-sized enterprises. The Government is committed to ensuring that we continue to put in place policies and programmes that encourage the emergence of new business opportunities and facilitate long-term business survival.

The 35 county and city enterprise boards have a clearly defined role as the principal deliverers of State support to the micro-enterprise sector in Ireland. This sector is a key component of the indigenous small business sector and has been to the forefront of Ireland's recent economic success. As a result of their strong regional and cumulatively national presence, the network of county enterprise boards is providing a seamless availability of business support, funding and mentoring to the micro-enterprise sector, thus facilitating the growth of this sector over the last 15 years. In addition, the micro-enterprises supported by the enterprise boards have played a key role in providing the sub-supply and support services that are essential in attracting foreign direct investment into the county.

The enterprise boards have an excellent track record in tapping into local entrepreneurial potential and their focus has increasingly been on the development of sustainable growth-orientated local enterprise, which can deliver high quality job creation without displacement or deadweight. The current parameters within which the enterprise boards operate enable them to deliver valuable assistance to business start-ups with good growth and employment potential. Through the provision of both financial and non-financial support, the boards have assisted many micro-enterprises in developing their growth and export potential as well as bringing them to a stage where they have sufficient mass to access the services of Enterprise Ireland.

Since 1993 to the end of 2008, the CEBs have issued grant payments to the total value of €201,159,002 and since their establishment in 1993, the total number of projects which have been approved for financial assistance is 20,796. Over 33,811 net jobs were created in CEB assisted enterprises from 1993 until the end of 2008

The enterprise boards have, in particular, deepened their role in promoting a culture of entrepreneurship in their localities. The provision of management capability training, direct mentoring and of networking opportunities carries its own value and its own weight. Over 165,700 people have participated on the various management development programmes and mentoring programmes available from the county enterprise boards since 1993. This represents a significant financial investment by this State in the micro-enterprise sector for the last 16 years and is also an investment in the future development of this sector. All of this contributes to job creation by boosting the survival rate among micro businesses and facilitating the future growth and employment potential of those businesses.

In 2009 the enterprise boards will continue to deliver on their primary role of assisting and supporting the micro-enterprise sector through the provision of both direct grant aid and soft support measures and to ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development. While the current climate surrounding public finances cannot be ignored, enterprise boards will be able to use their available funding in a judicious and effective manner so as to ensure that business growth and development will not suffer and that further employment creation opportunities are not missed.

Suicide Incidence.

Deputy Dan Neville

Suicide among Travellers was up to five times more common than for the rest of the population during 2000-06 according to the first study of its kind to take place in Ireland. The research also discovered that suicide most often follows the death of someone close to the victim. The loss of Traveller identity and culture among younger members of the community may also play a part in suicide rates. According to the study, the age group most at risk is 25 to 29.

The report, which was prepared by Ms Mary Rose Walker of Wicklow County Council and launched by the Wicklow Traveller Interagency Group in December, is unique in that it covered the entire Traveller population over a seven year period, gathering information regarding family circumstances and underlying issues concerning the subjects of the research. The sources of data included local authority social workers for Travellers, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government annual statistics, the national Traveller population and the CSO.

The main findings of the report were that between 2000 and 2006, the suicide rate among Irish Travellers was 3.7 per 10,000, more than three times that of the total population. It peaked in 2005 when it was over five times the national rate.

Suicide is predominantly a male issue among Travellers. For the total population male suicide is four times more common than female, but for Travellers male suicide makes up 91% of suicides, more than nine times as common as female suicide.

Of those who died, 52% were never married, while a further 15% were separated or widowed. Over 65% of Traveller suicides occurred among those aged under 30. The age group most at risk for Travellers was 25 to 29, accounting for 26% of Traveller suicides. Suicide among Travellers aged 40 and over, at 12%, is relatively infrequent compared to the total population, where it is 46%. Almost 80% die by hanging with poisoning being the second most commonly used method by the Travelling community to take their lives, at 9%.

Accommodation does not seem to be a significant factor except that roadside Travellers are at a greater risk of suicide while rates are lower for those in houses, particularly group housing or privately owned or rented housing. In almost 70% of instances, it was the first attempt at suicide, a fact of significant concern to service providers.

The background in many of the suicides was one of major social difficulty, with a life characterised by alcohol or substance abuse, violent behaviour and a history of self-harm or suicide attempts. People found themselves in a situation where there was no future. The question is not why they had died but how they had managed to stay alive for so long. The report also referred to people who had suffered a considerable degree of hardship and tragedy in a short space of time that would render even the most resilient of people vulnerable to suicide.

There were also motiveless suicides, where the individual showed no sign of suicidal ideation and had none of the risk factors typically associated with suicide, such as depression, alcohol or substance abuse. There appeared to be no reason for the decision and their loved ones spoke of their incredible anguish, unable to understand why these people had chosen to end their lives. With both motiveless and troubled suicide categories found in any group in society, the most common pattern that emerged through the research is that of the Traveller who takes his own life, usually by hanging, following the death of someone close. It is of concern that in 40% of cases where a Traveller took his or her life following the death of someone close, that death was also a suicide, and that 40% of those who died following the death of a loved one also died by suicide.

Violence, whether domestic or feud-related, was reported as a contributory factor in 40 cases of suicide, with eight deaths occurring following a violent episode, with four being victims and four being perpetrators. There were also "shame" suicides, that took place following disclosure of an alleged criminal act or while awaiting trial for a criminal act. In general, the older the individual, the more serious the act was likely to be. The view of the respondents was that the pressure of this shame motivated the people to kill themselves.

The research also looked at why the rate of suicide should be so high in recent years. Ms Walker concluded that:

Today, young Travellers have a lot more in common with their settled peers than their parents' generation did, and to a certain extent, there has been a loss of cultural traditions as they take on the values of mainstream society. However, public opinion as Travellers as inferior and as a threat has not changed, and Travellers face huge rejection from the settlement population. Some attempt to conceal their Traveller identity completely. They are not fully accepted as part of settled society, they may no longer be firmly rooted in their own culture and social traditions, and they have lost pride in their own ethnic identity.

Legal restrictions and economic reasons have made it increasingly difficult for Travellers to travel and to keep horses, both activities being central to Traveller culture. For those without work, who have lost the traditions of travelling and keeping horses, there is nothing to do. Particularly vulnerable are single young men. To alleviate boredom, they may drink, take drugs, joyride and engage in other forms of anti-social behaviour. All of these risktaking behaviours are associated with suicide. It takes little to persuade somebody for whom life holds no interest to end theirs.

With recent changes in society, Travellers have had to learn to cope with increased hostility, difficulty with identity, loss of culture and traditions and lack of purpose in life. Given the existing vulnerabilities of Travellers today, factors such as alcohol or substance abuse, economic insecurity, violence, depression assume an additional risk level. It may therefore not be surprising that an immediate crisis, such as death or conflict, can act as a trigger factor for suicide.

I commend Wicklow County Council and Ms Mary Rose Walker on their research into this area.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, who sends her apologies as she was unable to take it herself. I thank Deputy Neville for raising this matter. It provides a very timely opportunity to highlight all of our concerns about the high levels of suicide among the Traveller community.

This is particularly relevant to this evening's debate. In the past, much of the information relating to the issue of suicide among the Traveller community was based on anecdotal evidence. In recent years research has been carried out which has aimed to identify the specific issues which need to be addressed when tackling suicide among this community.

I refer in particular to two reports: Moving Beyond Coping, an insight into the experiences and needs of Travellers in dealing with the experience of suicide, launched in November 2006 by Tallaght Travellers Youth Service; and Suicide Among the Irish Traveller Community 2000-2006, launched on 9 December 2008 by the Wicklow Traveller Interagency Group and Wicklow County Council.

The statistics in the Wicklow report are a stark reminder of the serious issue of suicide, with suicide rates among the Traveller community being three times higher than in non-Traveller communities. Similar to the national trend, suicide in Travellers is predominantly male. Importantly, however, both reports help to highlight ways in which we can tackle this tragic issue. The Moving Beyond Coping report identifies the need to address Traveller mental health issues and depression in particular and it recognises the role of alcohol in suicide. It also highlights the role education plays in assisting young Travellers to avail of equal opportunities in life.

Suicide Among the Irish Traveller Community 2000-2006 indicates that the loss of Traveller identity and culture among younger members of the community may be a contributing factor. These issues must inform suicide prevention initiatives for the Traveller community. I am pleased to say that developments are ongoing in this regard.

The National Office for Suicide Prevention funds a national Travellers' suicide prevention project officer to build on the work of Pavee Point and local Traveller groups. The project is Traveller led and uses a community development approach in carrying out the work. A strategic plan has been developed. Key objectives for the programme include raising awareness around the issue of Traveller suicide and self harm; developing appropriate responses within the community; and working with national organisations to ensure culturally appropriate responses to suicidal behaviour within the Traveller community.

I recognise the many challenges that lie ahead and I am aware that no interventions bring a guarantee of success. International evidence shows that reducing the suicide rate and preventing suicides requires a collective, concerted effort on the part of all groups in society — health, social services and other professionals, communities, voluntary and statutory agencies and organisations, parents, friends and neighbours.

I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to the implementation of suicide prevention initiatives and the further development of our mental health services to prevent and reduce further tragic loss of life. I assure the Deputy of the Department of Health and Children's commitment to this area.

Foreign Conflicts.

Deputy Michael D. Higgins

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for choosing this matter. I hope we will be able soon to address this issue substantively at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs in the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Our next meeting is a select committee one and after that we have other business. However, I hope that in a fortnight's time we might be able to accommodate a substantive discussion because many of the issues will not wait, in particular the vulnerability of children and the civilian population in the province of Vanni in northern Sri Lanka.

Many civilians have lost their lives since 2006 when the 2002 ceasefire brokered by the Norwegian Government fell apart. At least 7,000 people have been killed and more than 300,000 have been displaced. This long running conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers is one for which an incredible price has already been paid in terms of loss of life and displacement.

An immediate unconditional ceasefire is necessary, as is an acceptance by both sides that there is no military solution to the conflict and that there is a need to return to the circumstances of the 2002 agreement and ceasefire. That ceasefire was achieved on the basis of mutual respect and parity of esteem. The tragic part of all of this is that the Tamil Tigers are suggesting to their civilian population, in particular children, that they must not move out of the area which they are in. Where they have moved into government controlled areas, they have been subjected to aerial bombing and immense loss of life. Civilians are at risk and have died in the area regarded as government controlled, which is unsustainable. However, they are also at risk in the Tamil controlled areas.

Another aspect which is very worrying is that the international press does not have access to the zones of conflict. For example, organisations as different as CNN and al-Jazeera are not able to cover what is taking place. Perhaps more importantly, some time ago all humanitarian agencies other than the International Red Cross and the United Nations World Food Programme were expelled from the areas. The international community cannot see the conflict in its totality and the humanitarian agencies cannot go where they are most needed.

What is needed at this stage and the reason I appreciate the opportunity to raise this matter is for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to join with the German and the British foreign ministers to seek to have this matter addressed immediately at UN level and at EU foreign minister level to try to create circumstances where an unconditional and an open-ended ceasefire could come into being. In raising this matter, I express my gratitude to those citizens in Ireland who have addressed this issue, in particular the Irish Forum for Peace in Sri Lanka which contacted me. I hope the Minister of State will communicate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and regard this matter as urgent so that we put an end to the loss of life and the great vulnerability of the children in question.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Minister for Foreign Affairs sends his apologies for being unable to attend to take the matter.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has made clear the Government's deep concern at the plight of the war-ravaged Tamil population in the north of Sri Lanka who are the innocent victims of the conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the rebel LTTE, or the Tamil Tigers. Large numbers of men, women and children have been subjected to indiscriminate bombardment by government forces while there is evidence that the Tamil Tigers have been blocking their escape giving rise to allegations that they are using the civilians as human shields. A report from UNICEF yesterday also confirms that the LTTE has intensified forcible recruitment of civilians and that children as young as 14 years old are now being targeted, thus placing their lives at great risk. UNICEF also expresses its extreme alarm at the high number of children being injured in the fighting. I fully endorse its demand that all civilians, especially children, must be given every protection from the fighting.

Through our ambassador in New Delhi, we have made urgent humanitarian representations on behalf of all the innocent people who are suffering there, not failing to remember also the small religious communities who find themselves tragically caught in a conflict which is not of their making but from which they cannot escape. The blatant disregard for the lives of innocent civilians which has been the norm since the intensification of the conflict over the past two months represents a serious breach of international humanitarian law.

Both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE should agree to an immediate ceasefire. The priority would be to allow unrestricted access to the affected areas by the emergency services, including the ICRC and other humanitarian organisations, so that aid and supplies can be delivered as quickly as possible and that the sick and injured can be evacuated. However, a short term temporary ceasefire is not enough. Although the Sri Lankan Government now seems close to a military victory, a lasting peace settlement will require reconciliation and a political process aimed at protecting the interests of all Sri Lankan citizens and enshrining the principle of parity of esteem among its divided communities.

To this end, the international community should continue to exercise as much pressure as possible. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will attend Monday's meeting of the EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council, which will issue important conclusions on the conflict in Sri Lanka. We hope that an EU Troika visit to the country at ministerial level will take place shortly to convey the EU's very serious concerns about the conflict and the humanitarian situation in the country. The Commission has also initiated an examination of whether the Government of Sri Lanka has breached the terms of the human rights provisions in the EU's GSP Plus trade agreement with Sri Lanka.

At the national level, Ireland has consistently taken every opportunity to call for meaningful peace talks and an end to all violence and human rights violations. Consultations with other governments, including with the Government of Norway, which acted as the central facilitator of the ceasefire agreement before it collapsed in January last year, will continue. If the relevant parties seek any advice in regard to a negotiated peace process, we would give consideration as to how we could best help.

Since 2005, the Government has provided, through Irish Aid, more than €5.3 million for humanitarian and development activities in Sri Lanka. In addition, more than US$12 million was allocated from the UN's central emergency response fund to Sri Lanka during 2008. Ireland is currently the seventh largest donor to this fund.

In addition to unearmarked funding to the Red Cross, one of the key organisations at the centre of the response to the humanitarian crisis, Irish Aid is monitoring closely the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka and the provision of emergency funding is under consideration. I will convey the Deputy's views directly to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.35 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 19 February 2009.