Written Answers Nos. 46-59
48. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the possibility of allowing local communities decide the use of a small part of the ODA budget through a democratic consultation process in locations in which a well-structured aid programme is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37953/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDevelopment co-operation needs to be people-centric and respond to national priorities. Promoting national ownership is one of the key principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Ownership is the best strategy to guarantee that development investments succeed, and has the best opportunity of reaching the furthest behind first.
Ireland’s eleven Embassies in Sub Saharan Africa and our Embassy in Vietnam have responsibility for managing aid programmes. Each has a strong focus on ensuring that essential services including health, education, and social protection are targeted at those who are furthest behind in the poorest communities. Whilst not working directly at community level, the Missions allocate considerable resources to civil society organisations and associations. These organisations work closely with communities in service delivery as well as championing the rights of citizens.
A hallmark of many of Ireland’s partner organisations is the adoption of participatory approaches to working with communities. The Embassies consult and engage with partners regularly at the planning and implementation phases of their country strategy processes.
In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to promote the vital role of civil society organisations in developing countries on the international stage- in the EU, the UN and OECD.
The 2020 Peer Review of Ireland’s development cooperation by the OECD Development Assistance Committee found that ‘a long-lasting commitment to engaging in partnerships is the trademark of Ireland's development co-operation', and that ‘partnerships with Irish and local civil society organisations (CSOs) are characterised by mutual trust and an open culture of substantive and regular dialogue.’
We expect our programme partners to continue to develop a dynamic relationship with local counterpart organisations and focus on building the local institutional capacity to work effectively with communities.
49. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest discussions he and his officials have had with his counterparts in Northern Ireland during Covid-19 regarding the Border and combating the virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37692/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is regular and ongoing North-South contact and cooperation on the island in response to COVID-19 at both operational and political level. As public health measures are under constant review in both jurisdictions, it is essential to maintain strong North-South collaborative arrangements and, wherever possible, consistency of approach.
In April, this cooperation was formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the public health response to the pandemic between the Government and Northern Ireland Executive by then Minister for Health Simon Harris T.D. and Northern Ireland Minister Robin Swann and the two Chief Medical Officers.
With the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, I have jointly chaired a number of conference calls with the First Minister and deputy First Minister and both Health Ministers, to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19.
At the most recent meeting in this format on 12 October 2020, it was agreed to intensify further the regular and ongoing contact between the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, with the active involvement of the health administrations in both jurisdictions, and to take a co-ordinated approach wherever possible to public health measures and messages. The numbers of cases in the second wave, north and south, has brought home again the immense importance of coordination and cooperation to address the pandemic.
Health is one of the formal areas of North-South cooperation under the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), through which the existing strong and enduring relationships between health systems and officials on the island of Ireland continue to be strengthened
The response to Covid-19 on the island was discussed at the NSMC Health and Food Safety meeting on 2 October 2020. Ministers Donnelly and Swann agreed to continue to meet, both within the NSMC and outside the formal structures of the Council, to discuss the response to the pandemic. In the period ahead, officials from both jurisdictions will continue to exchange views to foster commonality in their approach, where possible.
50. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he is taking to address the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38454/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain deeply concerned by the serious and deteriorating political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The different elements of this crisis are inextricably linked and continue to have a grave impact on the people of Venezuela. I am very concerned at recent reports to the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation there. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation in the country. The mass migration that has occurred as a result of the crisis is also impacting on neighbouring countries. By the end of 2020, it is estimated that 6.5 million people in total will have left Venezuela arising from the current crisis.
Ireland has been active in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Since 2019, we have provided almost €2.5m in funding to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), as well as NGOs responding to the needs of migrants and refugees. My Department will be providing additional financial support in the coming weeks.
We work closely with our EU and international partners to seek to ensure a coordinated approach to the political crisis in Venezuela, based on our shared democratic, rule of law and human rights norms. EU efforts in recent months, which I fully support, have been focused on the upcoming Venezuelan legislative elections, scheduled for 6 December, and have sought to ensure that the minimum conditions for free, fair and democratic elections could be put in place. I am concerned that these conditions have not been met. My Department will be monitoring the situation closely in the election and post-election period.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to support international efforts to achieve a democratic solution to the Venezuelan crisis. I will continue to support efforts to overcome the crisis through a negotiated and peaceful process that fully involves and is owned by the people of Venezuela.
51. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on Ireland signing up to the proposed European peace facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29131/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Peace Facility, EPF, is a proposed new funding instrument, which is currently under negotiation by Member States. It is designed to provide the EU with a financing mechanism for a range of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) actions.
The European Council agreed the EPF’s broad parameters in June 2020, including an overall financial ceiling of €5 billion over the seven years of the next MFF. As the EU budget cannot finance operations with military or defence implications, the EPF will be off-budget, incorporating two existing off-budget mechanisms; the Athena Mechanism and the African Peace Facility.
The first of these, the Athena mechanism, funds common costs for EU-led military crisis management missions. Ireland contributes personnel to three of these missions, all of which are authorised by the UN. The UN increasingly relies on regional organisations, including the EU and the African Union (AU), to carry out peacekeeping operations and crisis management missions mandated by the UN Security Council. For example, the AU leads the UN-mandated mission in Somalia, Amisom, which itself is largely funded by the EU through the African Peace Facility, which will also be incorporated into the EPF.
The EPF will provide continuity while also supporting new initiatives, including allowing EU financing of peace support operations outside Africa. In certain circumstances - and with strong safeguards - funding from the EPF may be utilised for military equipment, including equipment designed to deliver lethal force. Ireland has made clear from the start of the negotiations that we will not fund assistance measures which include lethal weapons. This reflects our Programme for Government commitment that ‘Ireland will not be part of decision making or funding for lethal force weapons for non-peacekeeping purposes.’
Ireland will continue to engage actively in negotiations on the design of the EPF to ensure both the inclusion of strong safeguards for any provision of military equipment and that Member States can abstain from funding the provision of lethal weapons.
52. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position towards plans by the Hungarian Government to introduce a series of constitutional amendments that include the outlawing of same-sex marriages. [38300/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am concerned at proposed amendments to Hungary’s Fundamental law, which could have a significant impact on the lives and rights of LGBTI+ people in Hungary.
The principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is important that these principles are protected and promoted throughout the Union.
Advancing human rights is central to Ireland’s foreign policy. We are committed to promoting the rights of LGBTI+ people, who continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and discrimination around the world. Ireland continues to support initiatives in the EU and other international fora which promote and protect the rights of LGBTI+ people, and which condemn violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.Our Embassy in Hungary has engaged with senior Hungarian officials in order to seek further clarification regarding the proposed changes and other policy areas, and emphasised our strong concerns in this area. We will continue this dialogue and ensure that the Hungarian Government is informed of Ireland’s own position on these matters and the strong importance that we place on protecting and promoting the rights of LGBTI+ people.
The Embassy has also engaged in a number of meetings with Hungarian NGOs working in the area of LGBTI+ rights, both to hear their perspectives on recent developments in Hungary and to see how the Embassy can best support their work. These meetings will help the Embassy plan further supports.
I would also like to note that we welcome the recent publication of the European Commission’s first ever strategy for LGBTIQ equality, which sets out a number of targeted actions – including legal and funding measures.
We will continue to work both bilaterally and at the EU level to promote and protect the rights of LGBTI+ people across the EU and beyond.
55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in regard to the Brexit negotiations, with particular reference to the issues of most sensitive importance to this country in terms of readily available unimpeded transport facilities to European markets; the extent to which any agreement has been reached between the EU and the UK with adequate protection for Irish and European interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38274/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is working, as a Member of the EU27, to ensure that any Future Relationship agreement between the EU and the UK in the area of transport connectivity delivers to the full ambition of the EU’s negotiating mandate.
On road transport in particular, as an island nation and the only EU Member State whose physical connection to the Single Market has a large dependence on transit through the UK, transport issues are especially important for us. Ireland’s unique geographic position was recognised in the EU’s negotiating mandate and it is our view that it should be taken into account in any arrangements agreed in the negotiations.
Workable road transport arrangements are important not only because of our unique geographic situation but also because of the importance of such arrangements to the all-island economy.
We must however also be clear that what is possible to achieve in this area will also be determined by the UK’s level of ambition and respect for the EU’s red lines.
Post transition, operators will still be able to move goods via the Landbridge but the way they use the Landbridge will change. This includes undertaking a number of new administrative steps in Ireland, Great Britain and at the port of re-entry. Details of these new steps can be found on our website - GOV.IE/Brexit.
Ireland has undertaken substantial engagements at political and official level across the EU to ensure EU goods moving under transit are not subject to additional and unnecessary checks and controls. In particular, we have worked with our French, Belgian and Dutch counterparts. The overarching aim has been to ensure that, once the correct paperwork is in place, the necessary controls are completed and transit goods should be “green-lighted” to leave the Port. Physical checks will only be necessary where the authorities suspect non-compliance. It is therefore vital that operators undertake all the necessary steps.
The process for moving goods on direct routes between Ireland and other EU Member States will not be subject to any new procedures. Additional capacity on direct routes between Ireland and the EU has been added throughout 2020, including Cork – Zeebrugge, Dublin – Santander, Waterford – Rotterdam, Rosslare – Bilbao and Rosslare – Roscoff, and there will be further increases in capacity in 2021. The assessment of the Department of Transport and the Irish Maritime Development Office, which issued an updated analysis on capacity on direct maritime routes to Continental Europe in October, is that there is sufficient capacity available on direct routes to accommodate displaced Landbridge traffic. Traders should consider switching to these routes ahead of the end of the transition period to avoid the need to implement new procedures, as well as to avoid the likely delays and blockages at UK ports.
57. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to Turkish interference in the affairs of the island of Cyprus, and the calls by the Turkish President Erdogan for a two-state solution on the island. [38302/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe opening of the fenced-off area in Varosha, and the recent statements of President Erdogan advocating a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem, are backward steps that simply add to tensions in the region. Such actions and statements are particularly regrettable given the ongoing attempts to create the space for dialogue and to resume negotiations for a comprehensive settlement. Ireland and the EU are clear that the only viable solution remains reunification of the island, based on a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation, with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The recent actions and remarks of Turkey on Cyprus also come at a time when Turkey is continuing its activities in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone and the wider Eastern Mediterranean. Ireland has consistently called on Turkey to show restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus and Greece and refrain from actions that infringe on international law and risk the stability and security of the region. Ireland continues to stand in full solidarity with Cyprus and Greece on this issue.
Ireland is deeply disappointed that Turkey has not taken advantage of the European Council’s recent offer of a positive EU-Turkey political agenda, if it were to cease its illegal activities with regard to Cyprus and Greece, and has instead continued to indulge in provocative actions. While our hope remains that these issues can be resolved through dialogue, if Turkish behaviour does not change, it is clear that further restrictive measures must be on the table at the December European Council.
In terms of the wider EU-Turkey relationship, I would like to see a more stable and constructive relationship develop in the future, particularly given the importance of the relationship to issues such as migration, security and the economy. This would benefit both the EU and Turkey. However, this very much depends on Turkish behaviour, both in terms of its domestic situation and its attitude towards its neighbours.
58. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37906/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very concerned by developments in Belarus, which continue to deteriorate. We have seen mass and indiscriminate detentions, including of children, violence against peaceful protesters, evidence of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, including reports of sexual abuse, internet shutdowns and curbs on media freedoms.
UN Special Rapporteurs have highlighted continued violations of children's rights and the persecution of women human rights defenders in the country. Ireland shares their concerns and we will continue to raise our voice on the appalling human rights situation in international settings.
Despite large-scale peaceful protests, members of the political opposition have been threatened, harassed, detained and forced into exile. We have also seen loss of life, including the recent death of a peaceful protester in police custody which was needless and shameful.
Ireland and the EU have repeatedly condemned the use of violence by the Belarusian authorities against their own people. We sent a firm message through the imposition of targeted sanctions against key figures in Belarus. So far 55 individuals have been sanctioned, including Lukashenko himself, and we stand ready to go further.
However, sanctions are just one element of a broader response. A review of EU-Belarus relations is underway and we will continue to work with our EU partners on redirecting EU funds towards Belarusian civil society and away from the authorities. Ireland has also committed €50,000 for two projects in Belarus through the European Endowment for Democracy that aim to protect human rights and media freedoms.
EU Foreign Ministers remain firmly engaged in trying to bring about a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis. We will continue to press the Belarusian authorities to end their campaign of violence against the Belarusian people, to unconditionally release those unjustly detained and to respect their international commitments.
We are unwavering in our support for the Belarusian people in their clear and simple demands that their elections to be free and fair and that their basic human rights be respected.
59. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to ensure adequate inputs from the Houses of the Oireachtas and civil society organisations in Ireland in relation to the proposed EU strategy for Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37957/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU is committed to agreeing a renewed, comprehensive partnership with Africa at the EU-African Union Summit in 2021.
A more effective EU-Africa partnership is an objective of the Government’s Africa Strategy and Ireland has actively engaged in the work undertaken to prepare a new EU-Africa partnership.
Minister Coveney called for an ambitious EU approach to the partnership at the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2019, a theme which he articulated in bilateral discussions with both EU and African partners. He was active in discussions on the EU-Africa partnership at Foreign Affairs Councils in February and September this year.
At a discussion of EU Development Ministers in September, I addressed the Team Europe response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU’s support for the furthest behind in Africa. Building on this work, the European Council identified priority areas for cooperation with Africa in October.
The Government welcomes engagement of the Oireachtas on this critical EU partnership. Minister Coveney met with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on 12 November to discuss issues on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council, including Africa. On 20 October, the Dáil had an opportunity to debate the European Council discussion of EU-Africa relations.
The perspectives of civil society partners is very important. The European Commission engaged with civil society, including CONCORD Europe, representing 2,600 NGOs, including Dóchas -the Irish association of development NGOs - when setting out a new partnership with Africa earlier this year.
The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains ongoing engagement with civil society partners. Recent instances include civil society partners' participation in the Government’s National Task Team on Rural Africa, which advanced Ireland’s potential contribution to a significant strand of the EU-Africa partnership. Minister Coveney discussed the EU-Africa partnership with civil society last month at a conference of the Irish Forum for International Agricultural Development. These are in addition to regular policy discussions at official level through Dóchas.
