Written Answers Nos. 374-393
375. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the persecution of members of the Baha'i faith in Iran; if the arrest and imprisonment of members of the faith in Iran will be condemned; if he will raise the issue formally with the Iranian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18218/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe human rights situation in Iran remains a matter of serious concern. There are concerns in particular about the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities, political activists, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, labour rights activists, artists and environmentalists. Human rights issues therefore continue to constitute an important part of our engagement and dialogue with Iran.
Discriminatory practices with respect to employment, education and access to other basic services, continue to affect Bahá’í and other minority groups in Iran. Bahá’í business owners struggle to start and operate businesses, including issues with forced closures. Bahá’í students face challenges in gaining access to education, with consistent reports of applicants to universities being rejected on the basis of their faith. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran has reported that members of minorities continue to be subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention for engaging in peaceful advocacy for their rights in Iran.
Ireland continues to call strongly for the end to the persecution of members of the Bahá’í faith in Iran, including through bilateral contacts, with our EU partners and at the UN. Bilaterally, our concerns are conveyed to the Iranian Embassy on all appropriate occasions. As part of political consultations with Iran which took place in Tehran in February, senior officials from my Department again directly communicated our concerns regarding the human rights situation in Iran.
Ireland has also consistently raised the discriminatory treatment of the Bahá’ís in multilateral fora. Most recently, at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland raised concerns regarding the continued discrimination against members of ethnic and religious minorities, in particular those that are not recognised under the Constitution in Iran, and made specific reference to the Bahá’í community.
Ireland also called on Iran to take all necessary steps to protect the rights of the Bahá’í during the Universal Periodic Review of Iran’s human rights record in November 2019.
Ireland, along with the EU, will continue to encourage progress in relation to religious minorities in Iran, and to make clear our concerns to the Iranian authorities.
378. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if travel from the Isle of Man will be restricted or subject to rules similar to travel to and from the UK under the new arrangements. [18268/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the Government decision of 21 July regarding travel advice for certain locations made no change with respect to either the Isle of Man specifically or Great Britain more generally.
It remains the situation that persons arriving into Ireland from the Isle of Man and Great Britain, including citizens and residents returning to Ireland, are required to restrict their movements for 14 days on arrival – unless they are part of an exempted class of travelers including hauliers, pilots and maritime staff.
People arriving into Ireland are also obliged to complete a mandatory Public Health Passenger Locator Form and to submit it to the relevant authority at their port of entry.
379. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new embassies and consulates that have opened over the past 12 months; if Covid-19 has delayed the opening of planned embassies and consulates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18333/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the launch in 2018 of Global Ireland - Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025, my Department has been working closely with a range of other Government partners to ensure the effective delivery of the ambition to double the scope and impact of our global footprint. This commitment has been further cemented in the new Programme for Government.
Since August 2018, new Embassies have opened in Wellington, Bogotá, Amman, and Santiago de Chile, and new Consulates General in Vancouver, Mumbai, Cardiff, Los Angeles and Frankfurt. The Irish Aid office in Monrovia has also been upgraded to an Embassy. Of these, the new Consulates General in Frankfurt and LA officially opened in the last 12 months.
The timelines for opening the new Embassies planned for Kyiv, Manila and Rabat have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis but planning is underway to facilitate the openings as soon as possible. In addition, the timeline for finalising the programme of works for the permanent offices in regard to a number of new Missions, operating in temporary office accommodation, has been impacted by delays related to COVID-19 however provisions have been put in place to minimise disruption.
The new Embassies and Consulates are contributing to the expansion and deepening of Ireland's international presence across priority regions, providing opportunities to grow our trade and inward investment, strengthening our political relationships with our partners, promoting our values, and supporting Irish citizens and our diaspora abroad.
The Covid 19 crisis has highlighted the significant value added by the new Missions as they continue to play an instrumental role supporting Irish citizens abroad impacted by the crisis. The diplomatic network will also play an important role supporting the new Government as we work to shape the global recovery post-Covid.
The network of resident Irish diplomatic Missions overseas will continue to be kept under review, including in the context of the commitment, set out in the Programme for Government, to Global Ireland 2025, and its aim to double the scope and impact of our global footprint.
380. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the ongoing work to prepare for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18334/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo deal preparations were well advanced for the possibility of a no deal Brexit on 29 March, 31 October, 2019 and 31 January 2020. The additional time afforded by the transition period has allowed departments to refine this work and re-calibrate it as necessary for the end of the transition period. The end of transition will involve both immediate challenges and long term, permanent changes.
In any scenario from 1 January 2021, the UK will be outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union. This will bring significant changes to Ireland’s supply chains and trade flows – creating new checks on trade in both directions and increasing costs and administrative burdens on business.
Given the limited progress in EU-UK Future Partnership negotiations, on 29 May the Government approved the intensification of readiness and contingency planning across all Departments on the basis of two scenarios: (i) a limited FTA and accompanying fisheries agreement, or, (ii) a hard Brexit (no trade agreement). While Ireland still supports the closest possible relationship between the EU and UK, prudence dictates that we approach our contingency planning on this basis.
The Government continues to intensify all its readiness preparations. We have made substantial investments in infrastructure and systems at our ports and airports to prepare for the introduction of checks on controls on EU-UK trade.
In partnership with other Landbridge countries and the Commission, we recently addressed some SPS related challenges affecting Irish/EU goods transiting the UK back into the EU. The UK’s accession to the Common Transit Convention is a positive step as it will allow EU goods to transit through the UK without undergoing full customs import and export formalities on entry and exit. However, the way the Landbridge is used will change at the end of the transition period. We will work with traders and hauliers to inform them of the steps they need to take.
In 2019, over 63,000 businesses registered for an EORI number, covering 95.8 % of the volume of exports to the UK in 2019 and 92.7% of imports. Two weeks ago, the Revenue Commissioners wrote to over 60,000 businesses that traded with the UK since 2019 who not yet registered for EORI. In addition to obtaining an EORI number, Government outreach promote awareness of the need for business to address a range of new administrative, customs, regulatory and SPS issues arising from the UK becoming a third country.
The Government established a €20 million Brexit fund to help SMEs involved in exporting and importing with the UK and further afield to put in place the staff, software and IT systems to be ready for new customs arrangements from 1 January 2021. Further supports are available to businesses as part of the recovery agenda announced in the July Stimulus to help businesses reopen, create jobs and prepare for the economy of the future.
The €5 billion Brexit Adjustment Reserve which forms part of the new MFF is very welcome and will help cushion the impact on those Member States and sectors most affected. Ireland worked hard to secure this Brexit Adjustment fund in the MFF package. The special allocation of €120 million for a new PEACE PLUS programme is also welcome. This will continue the work of the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes in a post-Brexit context
We will continue to work closely with the European Commission on readiness work at a European level. The Commission is currently updating 102 ‘Readiness Notices’, which provide advice for businesses and citizens on a wide range of issues affected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU acquis. These include, inter alia, Air Transport, Food Law and VAT. Where applicable, the updated notices provide guidance to businesses and citizens on the operation of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. The question of contingency measures at EU level for a hard Brexit will also be discussed at the appropriate time.
I will publish an update of the Government’s Brexit Readiness and Contingency Action Plan in September. This will outline the work taking place across Government and the steps business and citizens should take to prepare for the end of the transition period. We will also roll out a new focussed communications programmes for the final phase.
In response to requests from nine Departments, the Government on 29 May 2020 approved the preparation of a scheme for a new Brexit Omnibus Bill. I expect to bring this scheme to Government for approval and publication in the coming weeks with a view to bringing it to the Oireachtas in the autumn.
A key difference between the 2019 Act and 2020 Brexit Bill is that the 2019 Act sought to provide contingency measures to address issues arising in a no deal cliff-edge scenario while the 2020 version will deal with permanent change that will take place at the end of the transition period.
The aim of the Bill is to provide a legislative underpinning to the wide ranging and complex issues that arise post transition, It will seek to protect citizens and consumers, facilitate the sound functioning of key sectors and ensure our businesses are not disadvantaged. It will also support aspects of the Common Travel Area and North/South cooperation.
The Government has always been clear that Brexit will mean change. Whatever the outcome of the EU-UK future relationship negotiations, it will not be the status quo and the way we trade with the UK will change. With less than six months to the end to the transition period, Government will continue to develop and refine our readiness efforts. It is vital that business and citizens do the same.
However, regardless of the outcome of the future negotiations partnerships, the Withdrawal Agreement including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland will remain in place. We will also face into this new phase of our relationship with the UK as a member of the EU27 and the strength and solidarity that brings.
383. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which disarmament will feature as a priority for him during Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council; and if additional funding will be provided to NGOs, agencies and research to advance the non-proliferation and disarmament agenda. [18876/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s approach on the UN Security Council will be informed by our record as a country that has a consistent, principled and independent foreign policy, guided by the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
Disarmament and non-proliferation is one of Ireland’s signature foreign policies and will continue to be a priority throughout our membership on the UN Security Council.
Three overarching principles will guide Ireland’s approach to the UN Security Council’s work: building peace, strengthening prevention and ensuring accountability. Our work on disarmament and non-proliferation contributes to all these objectives.
The spread of weapons of all kinds fuels conflict and instability, contributes to human rights abuses, and hinders sustainable development. Tackling proliferation contributes to the protection of civilians, the prevention and resolution of conflict and supports global and regional stability.
Ireland will engage across the full spectrum of the UN’s conflict prevention activities. Disarmament and non-proliferation will feature in these efforts, alongside preventative diplomacy, mediation, and cooperation between the United Nations and regional organisations.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a consistent supporter of civil society’s engagement in disarmament and non-proliferation. To date, in 2020, my Department has provided €613,320 in support of research, advocacy and implementation in this space. This figure includes a grant of €350,000 to the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), which is the leading global policy institute on research in this field. Ireland remains committed to supporting research and civil society in this field throughout and beyond our term as a member of the UN Security Council.
384. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the potential resolutions he will table during Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council; and if a list of same will be provided. [18877/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s approach on the Security Council will be informed by our record as a country that has a consistent, principled and independent foreign policy.
Ireland is determined to be an effective, credible and influential member of the Council. My Department, in Dublin, New York and in relevant Missions, is currently preparing for taking up our seat in January, including by reviewing all items on the Council’s agenda and considering the approach we will take.
Ireland’s work will be centred around three core principles: 1) Building Peace, 2) Strengthening Prevention and 3) Ensuring accountability.
Under the first principle, Building Peace, Ireland will strive to ensure that peacekeeping is connected to longer-term peace initiatives; that there is coherence and complementarity between regional organisations; and that the peace we seek to foster is inclusive of civil society, women and young people.
Under the second principle, Strengthening Prevention, Ireland will seek to bolster the full spectrum of the UN’s conflict prevention activities, from preventative diplomacy, mediation, non-proliferation and disarmament to cooperation between the UN and regional organisations. It also means addressing the structural drivers of conflict and insecurity, particularly climate change, hunger and inequality.
The third principle is Ensuring accountability, meaning focusing on the rule of law, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights law. We need to prioritise the protection of civilians in conflict, ensure humanitarian access and fight against impunity.
The Council has many tools at its disposal to fulfil its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. These include passing new resolutions, using press statements, meetings, dialogues and open debates to draw important attention to situations of conflict and insecurity, and ensuring the effective functioning and strengthening the performance of existing subsidiary bodies, sanctions committees and UN peacekeeping and political missions.
The action Ireland takes on the Council will be guided by an overarching commitment to having a positive impact on peace and security challenges today and supporting those worst effected by conflict and insecurity.
385. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of each foreign military air force that used an ARES area in Irish airspace in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of times in each year that each air force made use of an Irish ARES area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19084/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of each instance in which Irish airspace was reserved for the use of foreign military aircraft through flexible use of airspace in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the foreign military involved in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19085/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 386 together.
On the basis of information provided by the Irish Aviation Authority, as well as records held in my Department, there have been no recorded instances in which an ARES area of Irish sovereign airspace has been used by foreign military aircraft during the period in question. Similarly, there have been no recorded instances in which Irish sovereign airspace has been reserved for the use of foreign military aircraft through flexible use of airspace during the period in question.
387. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of ongoing talks with the EU and the UK authorities in the context of Brexit with reference to the need for alternative trading and transit locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19086/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring the UK Landbridge remains an effective transit route to market for EU traders has been a key priority for the Government. I have had numerous discussions with my counterparts in the UK and across the EU. All understand the importance we attach to maintaining the Landbridge as an efficient route
At an EU level, there have been substantial engagements at political and official level to ensure that EU goods transiting the Landbridge are not subject to additional and unnecessary checks and controls. The overarching aim has been to ensure that, once the correct paperwork is in place, EU goods moving under transit will be “green lighted” and permitted to leave ports. T
More recently, in partnership with other Landbridge countries and the Commission, we addressed some SPS related challenges affecting Irish/EU goods transiting the UK back into the EU that arose in light of the introduction of the new Official Controls Regulation. Ireland took the lead among the Landbridge countries in highlighting this issue. In effect, our proposal will allow for a simplification for operators and competent authorities, facilitate the use of customs and other information by the Border Control Post to perform the SPS control, and avoid operators having to duplicate such information systems such as TRACES. We will continue to engage with the Commission as the amendment to the Regulation progresses. From an Irish perspective, the positive and solution-oriented approach taken by the Commission is very welcome.
We have worked closely with our French, Dutch and Belgian counterparts to understand each other’s operations and plans post transition. Work is underway within this group on developing joint communications for Landbridge users.
The UK’s has acceded to the Common Transit Convention which will allow EU goods to transit through the UK without undergoing full customs import and export formalities on entry and exit. While this is a welcome development, it is important to highlight that the way in which traders use the Landbridge will change. In order to benefit from the work done at EU level, the appropriate administration work including the requirement to have a financial guarantee, must be in place. The Revenue Commissioner’s website provides details on issues such as the financial guarantee and registering to become an authorised consignee/consignor.
I will publish an update of the Government’s Brexit Readiness and Contingency Action Plan in September. This will outline the work taking place across Government and the steps business and citizens should take to prepare for the end of the transition period. This will be supported by the roll out of focused communications programmes, including on the Landbridge.
The Government is also committed to enhancing direct connections between Ireland and the EU. The Government has assisted ports and shipping companies keep supply chains operating during COVID-19, leaving the industry better placed to provide sufficient freight and passenger capacity post-Brexit. In the context of maritime connectivity at the end of the transition period, indications from the sector are that sufficient capacity is available and new direct services continue to come on stream will provide additional capacity.
388. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community is prepared to combine its scientific expertise and resources to combat Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19087/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 pandemic underscores the critical need for international collaboration across the scientific community and beyond, including open communication, shared resources and coordinated actions. As Dr. Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme, has said, “Nobody is safe until everybody is safe.”
Ireland’s membership of the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and a range of multilateral and international organisations allows us to participate actively in the global health agenda and response to COVID-19, as set out in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.
As the UN body with the mandate to advocate for universal healthcare, monitor public health risks, and coordinate responses to health emergencies, the World Health Organization is leading global efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, and mitigate its impact. Its guidance to all countries on the response to the pandemic, its global coordination efforts throughout the crisis, and its assistance to the most vulnerable countries, are crucial. Ireland’s funding as a member of the WHO contributes to the evidence, guidance and advice it produces. This directly informs our domestic public health response to the pandemic, along with that of the Europe Centre for Disease Control and the European Union. Irish funding to the WHO this year has reached €16 million.
The Global Fund for Aids, TB and Malaria, an international partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics, is also a key player in the international response to COVID-19. The Global Fund has supported countries to adapt HIV, TB and malaria programs to continue during the pandemic, as well as purchase protective equipment, diagnostics and medical supplies, and to deploy prevention campaigns. This year, Ireland has provided €17.5 million to the Global Fund.
GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, is working actively in the COVID-19 response in maintaining routine immunisation throughout the pandemic. GAVI’s work in market shaping, procurement, and equitable distribution of vaccines will be critical in ensuring that the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people have access to a COVID-19 vaccine. Ireland this year pledged to increase its funding to GAVI over the next three years by 20%.
Working together with other actors including the WHO and CEPI (the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), GAVI and the Global Fund have launched an Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT), a collaborative enterprise between a number of health actors to develop, produce and equitably distribute effective technologies in the COVID-19 global response - including the deployment, once available, of a vaccine against the coronavirus. A key part of the ACT Accelerator is the COVAX Facility, a ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. COVAX is co-led by GAVI, CEPI and WHO, working in partnership with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers. COVAX aims to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.
UNESCO, the UN agency with a mandate in science, has reaffirmed the central importance of scientific information to make evidence-based choices to control the current outbreak, mitigate its impacts and prevent any future one. Consequently, UNESCO is currently developing a Recommendation on Open Science, through a global consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Ireland recognises that a coherent and system-wide international response to COVID-19 is essential, given the interconnectedness of the current crisis. We will use our voice through our international development programme to advocate for this. In support of these international efforts, Government Departments and agencies here in Ireland (including Science Foundation Ireland, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Health Research Board, the Irish Research Council and others), and the wider research and innovation community, are also working together to ensure a coordinated and meaningful contribution to the global response to COVID-19.
Ireland is working with key international development partners to maximise their respective roles and contribution, and combining their scientific expertise, to combat COVID-19. At national level the Government has also brought together the research and science community to contribute to the global response.
389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the overseas aid programme continues to target those for whom it is specifically intended; the locations most often covered by bilateral aid or multilateral aid programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19088/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficial Development Assistance (ODA) is an integral element of Ireland’s foreign policy. A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, provides a vision for Ireland’s development cooperation, including the clear commitment of the Government to direct ODA to reaching the furthest behind first.
Successive Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) peer reviews have commended Ireland’s development cooperation for its poverty focus and commitment to Least Developed Countries. The OECD DAC’s most recent review of Ireland's aid programme, published in May 2020, notes that Ireland 'walks the talk' in allocating ODA to least developed countries and fragile states, priority partners and sectors. The OECD finds that this clear focus enables Ireland to exercise leadership and make a visible difference. The Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a leading development think-tank, has also ranked Ireland as the most effective international donor in directing resources to those in extreme poverty.
In 2018 the top ten recipient countries of Ireland's bilateral aid included, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Vietnam, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe, receiving in total approx. €176 million. This illustrates Ireland's continued main focus on Africa and many of the poorest countries in the world.
Also in 2018 Ireland provided humanitarian assistance in excess of €185 million to support vulnerable communities in Africa and across the globe.
Ireland also works with Irish and International Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and is one of the leading OECD DAC donors in providing support to and through NGOs, with the OECD peer review finding that these relationships are characterised by mutual trust, quality funding, and an open culture for substantive and regular dialogue. In 2018 provided in excess of €106 million as core support to Non Governmental Organisations.
With our continued focus on reaching those who are left furthest behind, and through our development and humanitarian partnerships with multi-lateral and international organisations and NGOs, we will continue to make every effort to improve the lives of people in Africa and across the globe.
390. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to monitor the activities of Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab with reference to the areas they continue to be most active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19089/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland denounces the inexcusable acts of violence and terror perpetrated by Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab. Ireland supports a number of important international initiatives to undermine their influence and their impact on populations.
The EU is one of the main financial contributors to the UN-mandated African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which supports the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts to combat Al-Shabaab. The EU has also pledged €50 million in funding to the Multinational Joint Taskforce to improve security in West African territories affected by Boko Haram. More broadly, the EU provides significant development funding in Somalia, and in the countries affected by Boko Haram's terrorist activities.
The EU Council Conclusions of June 2020, which Ireland fully supports, reaffirm the EU’s commitment to tackling terrorism across Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. The EU has three Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in the Horn of Africa. A number of Irish nationals are deployed to EUCAP Somalia including the current Head of Mission. In the Sahel, Ireland also participates in EU missions to help Governments build a stronger, human-rights based, approach to the fight against terrorism and organised crime; 13 Defence Forces personnel participate in EUTM Mali, and Ireland deploys an expert to the Civilian CSDP mission in Niger.
Ireland also works bilaterally to promote peace and security in areas affected by armed groups. The Embassies of Ireland in Nairobi, Addis and Abuja actively monitor the situation on the ground, advise on humanitarian response and guide Ireland’s engagement in EU and UN forums. We are members of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin (ISG), which offers international partners a forum to coordinate support to addressing the challenges in Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
Ireland places a strong emphasis on tackling the poverty, hunger and exclusion which can contribute to radicalisation. Ireland has provided €27 million in humanitarian funding to the Lake Chad region since 2015 and over €50 million in humanitarian funding Somalia since 2012. With humanitarian needs likely to remain acute throughout 2020, Irish funding will continue to target those most in need.
391. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which through the aegis of the EU and UN the international community remains alert to the use of child soldiers at various trouble spots worldwide; the actions in hand or likely to be taken to combat the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19090/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU policy on child soldiers is set out in Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, first adopted in 2003 and revised in 2008. These aim to persuade governments and organisations around the world to fully respect international humanitarian law and human rights law that protects children from armed conflict. The Guidelines commit the EU to address the impact of armed conflict on children and fight against impunity for those who are involved in the recruitment of child soldiers.
In 1999, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1261 on the impact of armed conflict on children. Since then, the Security Council has established tools to strengthen child protection and to support international standards, including a systematic and comprehensive monitoring and reporting mechanism.
In December 1996, the UN General Assembly created the mandate of the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict to advocate for the protection and well-being of children affected by armed conflict and develop best practices to address the recruitment and use of child soldiers. The Secretary-General of the UN also issues an annual report on children and armed conflict which examines both trends and specific country situations, listing all armed groups – both state and non-state – that recruit and use children.
Ireland continues to combat the use of child soldiers through our development programme, Irish Aid, with a focus on addressing the socio-economic causes that contribute to this situation, through providing access to education, skills and livelihood opportunities, a priority also reflected in our development policy A Better World.
392. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives contemplated at EU and UN level to combat violence against women and girls at known trouble spots globally; the degree of success in dealing with the issue; the extent of new proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19091/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's strong commitment to gender equality and the elimination of gender-based violence is reflected across our foreign policy. A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, sets gender equality as a key cross-cutting priority. It commits to an overarching focus on women and girls across all our interventions and partnerships, specifically highlighting preventing and responding to gender-based violence as a key focus area for our development cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
Ireland works with a variety of partners in order to reach women and girls most at risk of experiencing violence around the world. Our work as part of the EU and within the wider multilateral system, in particular the United Nations, supports our efforts to address gender-based violence. Given the emphasis in A Better World on reaching the furthest behind first, Ireland works to ensure that our partners give sufficient priority to address gender-based violence in fragile states and conflict-affected contexts. These partnerships enable Ireland to support international and local stakeholder efforts to address gender-based violence including through strengthening the implementation of laws, policies and action plans, the provision of key prevention interventions and ensuring access to life saving response services for survivors of violence.
At the EU and UN level, the Spotlight Initiative, is a global, multi-year partnership between the EU and the UN to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. Launched with a funding commitment of €500 million from the EU, the Spotlight Initiative deploys targeted, large-scale investments to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific.
Ireland provides core funding to key UN agencies working to address violence against women and girls around the world including UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNHCR and OCHA. Ireland also provides annual funding to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women that works to support frontline grass roots organisations in over 80 countries that are uniquely placed to meet the most urgent needs of women and girls and their communities in preventing and responding to violence.
Our bilateral partnerships, which includes partnerships with Civil Society Organisations, also support efforts to address violence against women and girls, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Our humanitarian efforts also prioritize preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in emergencies and protracted crises where risks of gender-based violence are exacerbated and community and family protections have often broken down. For example, in 2019, Ireland and the International Rescue Committee announced a new three-year, €4.5 million, strategic partnership, focused on addressing gender-based violence in five acute and underfunded emergency and protracted humanitarian crises.
The current pandemic has increased the risk of gender-based violence. Ireland, with others, has used our influence to ensure that the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan reduces that risk as part of its broader pandemic response. Ireland co-chaired the donor support of the ICRC to June 2020, with gender a key theme of Ireland's time as co-chair: the ICRC is a key implementing partner in that Global Humanitarian Response.
In 2019, Ireland also launched Ireland’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security that includes specific commitments to enhance Ireland’s support to address gender-based violence in conflict affected states and fragile affected contexts over the next five years. We will continue to work through our multilateral and bilateral partnerships to meet these commitments and ensure that our support to combating violence against women and girls is directed to where it is most needed and has maximum impact.
393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the locations worldwide most commonly associated with human rights abuses and violence against women and children; the actions proposed or in hand to deal with the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19092/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe human rights of women and children are protected under international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The compliance of countries with their obligations is kept under review by the relevant treaty monitoring bodies.
In addition, a number of UN special procedures with relevant mandates, including the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences and the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, are active on these issues. Their regular reports to the UN Human Rights Council, which can be accessed on its website, detail the situation with regard to the human rights of women and children and make recommendations as to how they can be addressed and prevented.
Ireland’s policy for International Development, A Better World, prioritises preventing and responding to gender based violence while Ireland's Third National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security reiterates Ireland's commitment to intensifying investment in prevention and response to gender based violence, especially in fragile and conflict affected states.
My Department is also an active member of the Irish Consortium of Gender Based Violence, an alliance of Irish and international human rights, humanitarian and development organisations and the Irish Defence Forces. Support is provided to the Consortium to promote increased understanding of gender based violence and ensure high quality programming and policy responses in both development and humanitarian settings.
