Terence Flanagan
Ceist:198. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding available for organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8705/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services Funding
Ceisteanna (198)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations, providing a range of health related services. Funding in 2015 amounts to €3.286m. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures along with the application form are available on my Department's website at www.health.gov.ie.
The HSE also administers a Grant Scheme under the National Lottery details of which can be found at www.hse.ie/go/lotterygrants.
Ministerial Advisers Remuneration
Ceisteanna (199)
Colm Keaveney
Ceist:199. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total severance packages, individually detailed, received by any special advisers to the office of An Tánaiste since January 2014, specifically in respect of certain persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8497/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the resignation of the former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, TD, in July 2014, his personally appointed staff, including the Special Advisers mentioned, received redundancy and severance payments in accordance with the terms of their contracts of employment and instructions from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Northern Ireland Issues
Ceisteanna (200)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:200. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that took place at his recent meeting with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; his views on measures which were agreed at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8448/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 11 February, I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers during her visit to Dublin, as part of our regular consultations. We discussed a broad range of issues including ongoing work on the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, the justice and security situation in Northern Ireland, and a number of specific legacy cases.
In relation to the Stormont House Agreement, we reviewed the good progress made at the first implementation and review meeting held in Belfast on 30 January last at which a detailed implementation timeline was agreed. We looked forward to continuing to work together with the Northern Ireland Executive parties to ensure the effective and expeditious implementation of the Agreement. A second review meeting will take place in March, again involving both Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive. I reiterated the Government’s commitment to fully playing our part in this vital implementation phase.
The Secretary of State updated me on her thinking in regard to how the impasse on the parades issue in North Belfast might be addressed. In discussing this issue, I continued to emphasise the importance of any initiative in this area enjoying the necessary cross-community support. We also discussed the recent disturbances at Maghaberry Prison, the need for the ending of all threats against prison officers and for the implementation of the constructive recommendations of the recent stocktake report.
In relation to legacy issues, I again raised the issue of access by an independent international judicial figure to original documents in the possession of the British Government relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. The Secretary of State assured me that she continued to reflect on how the British Government could respond to this request.
Regarding the case of the late Pat Finucane, I underlined the Government’s continued support for the Finucane family’s call on the British Government to establish an independent public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, in line with the commitments made by both Governments at Weston Park in 2001. The Secretary of State responded that the de Silva Report and Prime Minister Cameron’s apology to the family constituted her Government’s response to the case.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (201, 207)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his European Union colleagues expect to be in a position to influence matters in Ukraine, with particular reference to the strict observance of a ceasefire and setting in place necessary protection for the civilian population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8658/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to positively influence matters in Ukraine, with particular reference to maintaining a ceasefire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8665/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 207 together.
The EU has been at the forefront of international efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, which has claimed over 5,500 lives, left many thousands more injured and forced almost a million people to flee their homes.
The conflict has had a devastating impact on local civilian populations in eastern Ukraine who have endured dreadful suffering since fighting broke out in the Donbas region over ten months ago. I am appalled, in particular, at the rising number of civilian casualties in recent weeks as a direct consequence of the indiscriminate shelling of residential areas in the conflict zone.
The welfare of civilians caught up in the hostilities is a major concern and I fully support EU calls on all sides to respect International Humanitarian Law. It is vital that the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers is ensured and that unhindered humanitarian access is granted to populations in need, in line with humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. It is also essential that the OSCE Mission is permitted to freely undertake its important monitoring and verification work in all areas of the conflict region.
The most effective way of ensuring the safety of the civilian population is to stop the violence. On 12 February, an agreement was reached in Minsk on a new peace deal aimed at ending the fighting. The declaration agreed in Minsk by Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande, President Putin and President Poroschenko and the package of measures signed by the parties to the conflict provides for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons in eastern Ukraine. The package also contains a timetable for the implementation of key parts of the September Minsk Agreements, which provide the basis for a comprehensive resolution of the crisis.
On 17 February, the UN Security Council unanimously called on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and abide by the commitments agreed in Minsk. EU High Representative Federica Mogherini has also issued a strong statement to this effect. I fully support the UN Security Council Resolution and the High Representative’s call, which also underlined the need for the agreed withdrawal of heavy weapons. It is critical that all parties honour their commitments to end the fighting and fully support a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (202)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU colleagues, together with the United Nations, can take measures to protect women and girls under threat from Boko Haram; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8660/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have strongly condemned the appalling acts of violence being perpetrated in Nigeria and its neighbouring countries by Boko Haram. These include the abduction of more than 200 young girls by Boko Haram from a school in the Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014 and the appalling use of children as suicide-bombers, recently including a girl thought to be as young as seven.
I have given my full support to the clear demands of the UN Secretary General and the EU High Representative that the girls abducted in Chibok be released and that those responsible be brought to justice. I am deeply disappointed that hopes that the girls would be released as a part of ceasefire discussions last October were not realised.
The EU as well as several individual EU Member States, the UN and the USA, continue to assist the Nigerian authorities in strengthening their ability to provide security and to combat terrorism. On 13 February, the UN Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the continued escalation of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram and reiterated its determination to combat all forms of terrorism. The EU Foreign Affairs Council, which I attended in Brussels on 9 February, noted that the responsibility to address the immediate security challenge in the region lies primarily with the countries most affected, and called upon them to urgently intensify cooperation and coordination. We welcomed the decision of the States in the region, endorsed by the African Union, to deploy a multinational force to combat Boko Haram, and this is now being established.
Ireland has been a particularly strong advocate of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which calls for increased participation of women in peace-making and peace-building; for greater protection for women and girls in armed conflict; and for a gender perspective to be incorporated into peace-keeping and peace-building. We will continue to encourage all UN member states, including Nigeria, to fully implement this resolution so that women and girls may be better protected from the horrific effects of armed conflicts such as the Boko Haram insurgency.
On 14 January, I launched Ireland’s second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2015-2018) which renewed our commitment to tackling the dreadful impact of conflict on women and girls. The action plan is designed to ensure that a gender perspective is incorporated into Ireland’s engagement in overseas humanitarian and development aid, peace-keeping, governance, post-conflict activities and interventions, and to bolster Ireland’s ongoing work on protection from and prevention of gender-based violence.
Our Embassy in Abuja, working locally in cooperation with the EU, UN and other key partners, remains in close contact with the Nigerian authorities on all issues related to the Boko Haram insurgency, including the appalling abduction of the schoolgirls.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (203)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in South Sudan remains under observation by the European Union, with a view to a making positive impact to protect civilians, establish the observance of human rights principles and set up safe havens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8661/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am very concerned about the situation in South Sudan, which achieved its independence in 2011 but has been in turmoil since the outbreak of conflict in December 2013. Continuing violence and threats have forced almost two million people to flee their homes. The country’s warring parties signed another ceasefire agreement in February following regional talks led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which were supported by the African Union and the European Union. However, the current peace remains very fragile and the humanitarian situation is extremely serious. Reports that 89 young boys were abducted over the weekend in Upper Nile State, for use as child soldiers, are particularly worrying.
The European Union, through its Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and together with the international community, including Ireland, actively engages in trying to prevent the crisis escalating into a full-scale ethnic-based civil war. In particular, the EU supports repeated warnings from IGAD and the African Union that continued violations of the ceasefire or failure to finalise a political agreement will inevitably result in further sanctions by the international community.
The EU, including individual Member States, provided more than €267 million in humanitarian assistance to South Sudan in 2014. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently co-hosted a high-level conference on South Sudan at which donors pledged some $600 million in assistance. Since the outbreak of the conflict at the end of 2013, Ireland has provided almost €11 million for South Sudan, through UN partners and NGOs working to alleviate the suffering of the people of the country and refugees across the region. We have pledged a further €3 million so far in 2015. We will continue to monitor the political and humanitarian situation closely, through our Embassies in the region, and in cooperation with our EU partners and the United Nations.
Overseas Development Aid
Ceisteanna (204)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Ireland’s aid programme continues to address the most seriously challenging situations in locations throughout Africa most affected by starvation, war, genocide and the abuse of human rights; if the top ten such locations continue to receive attention to the extent required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8662/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The ten lowest ranked countries in Africa in the UN’s Human Development Index are Niger, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Chad, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Guinea and Mozambique. Two of these, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, are key partner countries for Ireland’s aid programme.
The Government’s approach to Africa is informed by the Africa Strategy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and One World, One Future, our policy for international development.
Ireland pursues a strategic and comprehensive approach to countries in Africa which are facing challenging humanitarian, conflict, or human rights situations. This approach encompasses political and diplomatic engagement, development cooperation programming, which prioritises the fight against hunger and under-nutrition, humanitarian assistance, and support for peacekeeping operations. In an effort to support the continent to confront these far-reaching challenges, we allocate approximately 80% of Ireland’s development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa.
Ireland is committed to supporting the recovery efforts and successful transition of countries emerging from conflict or significant and protracted humanitarian crises. The announcement last year that Sierra Leone would become one of Irish Aid’s key partner countries is testament to this commitment.
I participate regularly in the deliberations of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Africa, including, most recently, on developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Mali and the Central African Republic. Next month, the Council is scheduled to have a discussion of the EU’s strategic relationship with Africa.
Ireland has deployed, and will continue to deploy, personnel to civilian and military EU and UN missions in Africa. Through Irish Aid’s Rapid Response Corps, we have also deployed highly skilled personnel to crisis-hit areas of sub-Saharan Africa on nineteen occasions in 2014. At present, there are 8 members on mission in sub-Saharan Africa.
Human rights concerns remain central to our foreign policy. Mindful that the risk of human rights violations is greater where political, economic and administrative systems are weak, One World, One Future supports concrete actions designed to promote human rights, including strengthening government systems and in-country human rights institutions.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (205)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which his Department and embassy officials continue to liaise with the Egyptian authorities with a view to bringing about the early release of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who has never held any other citizenship, having particular regard to recent positive developments in the area, with regard to other nationalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8663/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I remain deeply concerned at this individual’s continued detention as well as the recent further postponement of his trial.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials in both Dublin and in our Embassy in Cairo remain in ongoing contact with the Egyptian authorities on this case.
From my first day in office, I have taken an active role in this case and indeed in my first week in office I spoke to Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry setting out my concerns.
I have spoken to FM Shoukry on a number of further occasions, stressing that the individual was only 17 at the time of the alleged offences and asking for the case to be reviewed, so that he may be released and can return to his studies and his family. I have also raised the matter with HRVP Mogherini who assured me of the ongoing assistance which the EU institutions can provide. I have met the individual’s family on a number of occasions, most recently on 12 February.
We are monitoring all developments closely. This is a difficult case involving a foreign legal system and the judicial processes of another state in which we cannot interfere. However, I wish to assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment to the welfare of this young Irish citizen.
I wish also to assure the Deputy that officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Dublin and in Cairo, are also in ongoing contact with this individual and his family, and will continue to work actively towards the achievement of a positive outcome to this case while continuing to offer full consular support to this Irish citizen.
Infectious Disease Epidemics
Ceisteanna (206)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the various Irish and other national aid agencies continue to assist in the fight against Ebola; the degree to which the outbreaks are being contained; if adequate health and safety precautions continue to be taken by medical and aid workers in the areas affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8664/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Through the work on the ground of our Embassy in Sierra Leone and our significant financial support, and of a range of Irish NGOs, Ireland is playing a leading role in the international response to the Ebola crisis. These efforts are finally beginning to show progress as transmission rates decline.
The EU and its Member States have so far committed over €1.2 billion to the Ebola response. In 2014, Ireland provided over €18 million, directly and through NGOs, to the most affected countries. This included some €10 million through our annual development programmes in our partner countries - Sierra Leone and Liberia – which have a particular focus on strengthening the national health systems. We have provided over €5.6 million specifically for Ebola treatment facilities and for work on contact-tracing, community mobilisation and child nutrition programmes, among other activities. We will maintain this strong focus in 2015.
Exposure of health-care workers continues to be a feature of the outbreak, with some 830 health personnel known to have developed Ebola and 488 reported deaths. High-quality local treatment and medical evacuation facilities are now in place and available to all EU medical staff.
The wider implications of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa are also serious. A secondary crisis is emerging due to the impact on food security, nutrition, employment and economic growth as normal agricultural and market activities have been disrupted. I will be attending a high-level international conference on Ebola in Brussels on 3 March, which will focus both on short-term needs and on longer-term recovery and development. Attendance will also include the EU High Representative as well as the Presidents of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.