18 Samh 2011, 16:54
At the conclusion of a week-long visit to Ethiopia, the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Pat Breen commented as follows:
“I said on Monday that this was a very serious visit by the Joint Oireachtas Committee. Throughout the week, we were touched by the various visits we made within Ethiopia, though saddened by the harrowing tales we heard from refugees from Sudan, who are currently streaming across the border to camps in Ethiopia fleeing conflict in their homeland. The Committee will be recommending that emergency funding be made available to assist these Sudanese refugees.
While in Addis Ababa we visited the Women in Self Employment programme, supported by Trócaire and Concern, which assists women to generate their own income, as well as a Street children project funded by GOAL. We saw for ourselves the real difference that such programmes are making to the lives of some of the most vulnerable women and children in Ethiopian society. The Committee also visited the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange in Addis Ababa, which has revolutionized agriculture and ensured that small farmers get a fair deal.
In Tigray we were heartened to see the impact of Irish Aid Programme throughout the region. The support of the Irish people has helped a region that was devastated by famine and war in the 1980s to improve dramatically its agricultural productivity and to provide people with education and health services in greater numbers than ever before. The watershed management, irrigation and potato projects there have made a real difference to the lives of the Tigrayan people. While conscious of the poverty that still exists there, we believe that true progress has been made over the last twenty years and that Irish Government policy has contributed to that progress. The Prime Minister informed us that his Government is absolutely determined that famine will never devastate his people again.
The Committee believes that it is in Ireland’s best interest that Irish Aid funding should be maintained at the current level in the forthcoming budget, while not linking trade with aid.
Ireland’s reputation in Africa is at an all-time high. This was reflected in our meetings with the Chairperson of the African Union, Jean Ping; with Ethiopian parliamentarians; and with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. We had very comprehensive and substantive conversations with Prime Minister Meles, as well as with many other figures from Government, opposition and civil society.
The potential for increased trade between our two countries was a strong theme in conversations. Africa is experiencing massive growth at present and it is expected that growth of around 6% per annum will continue into the next decade. There is therefore real potential for increased trade with our Ethiopia and other African countries. This will be of enormous benefit to Irish companies and to our Economy.
Another theme of prominence was that of democratic transition and human rights. We conveyed clearly our view that Ethiopia’s development can best be supported in a political context where opposition and civil society voices can engage fully in constructive dialogue. We also raised the issue of adoption and expressed the hope that progress can be made by Irish and Ethiopian authorities on a bilateral agreement.”
ENDS /
Further Information:
Verona Ni Bhroinn, 087 2624132, 01-618 3881or Ciaran Brennan, 086-0496518, 01- 618 3903
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2