Holly Cairns
Ceist:567. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that he is taking in aid of those impacted by the recent earthquake in Afghanistan. [34577/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisaster Response
Ceisteanna (567)
Freagraí scríofa
I am deeply saddened and concerned by last Wednesday’s devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan and express my sincere condolences to the victims. This tragedy comes at an extremely difficult time for the people of Afghanistan, with millions facing severe hunger, including at least 20,000 people living in catastrophic food insecurity.
Ireland has significantly increased its support to the people of Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, increasing our humanitarian aid fivefold over the course of 2021, from €1.1 million to over €5.3 million. In 2022, Ireland has provided over €3.25 million to Afghanistan. This funding has been allocated to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (€1.5 million), UNHCR (€1 million) and civil society partners Concern Worldwide (€358,875), HALO Trust (€250,000) and Christian Aid (€143,785).
Ireland also contributes to global funds and key agencies active in Afghanistan, including the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which has allocated more than €68.6 million to Afghanistan since August 2021. This prepositioned funding ensures that our humanitarian partners can mobilise immediately to provide life-saving assistance to survivors and victims’ families.
Minister Coveney announced on the day of the earthquake that Irish Aid funding will be provided to support the humanitarian response. We are in contact with our partners on the ground who are assessing immediate needs. I expect to be able to make a specific announcement in the course of the week on how best Ireland will respond this emergency.
European Convention on Human Rights
Ceisteanna (568)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:568. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the importance of the European Convention on Human Rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34582/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Good Friday Agreement cites the European Convention on Human Rights as a vital safeguard that ensures the successful operation of the Agreement's institutions and the protection of Northern Ireland’s communities.
The British Government has now published legislation to introduce a UK Bill of Rights which, if enacted, would repeal and replace the Human Rights Act. The Bill requires serious and detailed consideration now.
It is important, at this early stage, to make clear that the full incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into Northern Ireland law, with the ability to obtain remedies for breaches of the Convention in domestic courts, was a fundamental commitment under the Good Friday Agreement, which was implemented by adopting the Human Rights Act. The incorporation of the ECHR into Northern Ireland law by way of the Human Rights Act has been essential in creating confidence in Northern Ireland’s political, policing and judicial structures over the past 24 years. It has proved to be a profoundly important safeguard.
We are very concerned at any potential diminution of human rights protection in Northern Ireland, including any restriction of the ability to obtain remedies for breaches of the Convention in domestic courts.
Following the introduction of a 'command paper' last December that set out the British Government’s intention to introduce this legislation, I set out my serious concerns very clearly to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in writing. I also raised these concerns at the most recent meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in March. I and the officials in my Department will continue to do so, following close scrutiny of the Bill itself.
In this context, it is worth recalling here our real concern that the British Government has chosen to introduce legislation on the legacy of the past unilaterally, moving away from the process agreed in the Stormont House Agreement. We have profound concerns both on the substance of the 'Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill' and the process of its introduction, and are deeply conscious that it has been strongly opposed by victims, by the Northern Ireland parties, and by civil society groups.
We have serious questions with regard to the Bill's compliance with international human rights obligations. In particular, we have serious doubts as to whether the Bill complies with the positive obligation on states to carry out effective investigations into unlawful deaths required by Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Government is firmly committed to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement; this includes working with the British Government to ensure that all international human rights obligations are fully respected. We will continue to communicate to the British Government our deep unease at the potential negative consequences of the UK Bill of Rights Bill for the operation of the ECHR in Northern Ireland, and the potential non-compliance of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill with the ECHR.
Question No. 569 answered with Question No. 305.
Question No. 570 answered with Question No. 305.