In questions to the Taoiseach on the Order of Business in Dáil Éireann today (Wednesday), Billy Timmins TD, Fine Gael Defence Spokesperson, has called for Ireland to push for the swift establishment of a UN peacekeeping force for Darfur.

“Today, I have called on the Irish Government to give every support to the ongoing international efforts to ensure that a robust peacekeeping force is dispatched to Darfur. The Government should signal that Ireland is prepared to offer assistance to this force which is necessary to shore-up the fragile peace accord now in place in the region.

“Earlier this month, the ‘Abuja Accord’, an agreement between the Sudanese Government and the rebels, was signed. This accord, which is designed to bring stability and peace to the troubled region of Darfur and includes calls for rebel groups to disarm, was brokered by the African Union.”The United Nations Security Council has also passed a resolution which calls for strong and effective action against any individual or group which blocks the implementation of this peace accord.

“There is a clear momentum towards the establishment of a peacekeeping force for Darfur, and the Government should give their strong backing for this action.”The UN estimates that the conflict in Darfur has affected 3.6 million people, of whom 1.8 million have been internally displaced and 200,000 have fled to neighbouring Chad. More than 200,000 people have been killed as a
result of violence.”