2026-07-02

4. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, which is urgently required to prevent the Ebola outbreak spreading further and taking more lives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50710/26]

The Democratic Republic of Congo has suffered incredible humanitarian situations, conflict and atrocities over the course of several decades. Millions of people have been killed in war. Unfortunately, on the back of multiple wars, civil wars and invasions, we are now seeing a deadly Ebola outbreak that is spreading quickly and that is also affecting Rwanda This is all happening against the backdrop of the conflict to which I refer. Does the Minister of State agree that there is a need for a ceasefire in order to ensure that there can be humanitarian approach to mitigating the impact of the Ebola outbreak on the region?

I am very grateful to Deputy Ó Laoghaire for raising this issue. The Government remains deeply concerned by the security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some progress has been made in the peace process facilitated by the United States, Qatar and the African Union, but the situation remains a matter for very serious concern. We join calls on all parties to respect ceasefire agreements and engage in a process to attain a sustainable peace. All sides must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure unhindered humanitarian access. These are critical factors in enabling an effective response to the Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo. In the context of the Ebola outbreak, to date far in 2026, Ireland has provided €3 million for the WHO general programme of work. A sum of €2 million has been approved for the WHO contingency fund for emergencies, which released €3.3 million to support government responses in Democratic Republic of Congo and, crucially, Uganda. Ireland’s NGO partners have also drawn down contingency funding and accessed items from our humanitarian stockpiles. Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the top recipients of Irish humanitarian funding. Between 2020 and 2025, Ireland contributed over €30 million in humanitarian assistance for Democratic Republic of Congo. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, discussed the conflict and the Ebola outbreak with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Democratic Republic of Congo, Ms Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, during her visit to Ireland in May Ireland recognises the importance of the EU’s voice being heard in respect of this grave security and humanitarian situation. We support efforts to agree further EU action to respond to the crisis. EU Humanitarian Commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, visited the region in February for meetings regarding the conflict and in June to discuss the Ebola outbreak. Again, we will closely follow these issues during our Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The scale of death and suffering in recent decades in the Congo has been very under-reported. Some estimates suggest that about 6 million people have died since 1998 due to conflict. Conflict in the region has rarely been in abeyance, but it spikes during certain periods. The conflict currently is between the Congolese Government and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group. It is primarily taking place in Kivu state in the east of the country and in surrounding regions. Ebola is a horrific and highly transmissible disease. It has already claimed hundreds of lives. It will claim thousands of lives if it continues to spread. The concern is that it will escalate further and that, as a result of the conflict, the authorities will struggle to get to grips with it. Will the Minister of State outline the Department's assessment of the current situation in terms of the outbreak and the extent to which the conflict is adding to it?

We can all agree that the history of this part of Africa, from the pillaging days of King Leopold, to the decades after, to the time when Irish peacekeepers lost their lives there and to the days of Zaire and beyond, has been absolutely horrendous and has been marred by conflict, disease and cruelty. To be quite frank, there was cruelty on the part of western partners as well as domestic actors. Unfortunately, this is the latest chapter of a very vicious conflict that is compounding the escalation of an outbreak of a disease that many people cannot fathom the severity of. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control assesses the infection risk for people living in Ireland and elsewhere in the EU to be very low. However, as of 28 June, Democratic Republic of Congo had reported 1,274 confirmed cases, including 360 deaths. In Uganda, 20 confirmed cases have been reported, including deaths. One confirmed case was reported in France on 24 June. This outbreak continues to spread. The deteriorating condition of health systems due to the removal of development assistance is certainly having a serious impact and gives rise very real concern, not just on the part of the Irish Government but also among many of our partners. The CEOs of Oxfam Ireland and Trócaire have written about this very recently.

That brings me to my next question. In his reply to the previous question on Sudan, the Minister referred Trócaire's connection to Sudan. Is he aware of any Irish aid agencies which, either directly or through sister organisations, have a presence in Congo and whether they are affected by or involved in this in any respect? The violence that is currently happening has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and forced them to leave their homes. Obviously, that is disrupting access health care. Humanitarian workers and officials need access to provide that support now more than ever. A ceasefire is a medical necessity and is urgently needed in order to support the provision of life-saving care, protect health workers and strengthen security, especially in hard-to-reach areas like the Ituri province and other remote areas. We are asking the Irish Government to do all it can at diplomatic level and through the EU to make all efforts to ensure that an immediate ceasefire is brought about. Is there an Irish connection with or presence of any kind in the region.

I am very grateful to the Deputy for referring to the very real Irish connection, not just with Democratic Republic of Congo but also with the wider region, including Uganda and neighbouring countries that are often responsible for many of the impacts of these crises, be they conflicts or humanitarian crises. There are over 2,000 Irish citizens in the broader region. Most of them work in the aid sector. Trócaire has a significant presence there. The CEO of Trócaire was due to travel there until very recently. He was in Rwanda during the Easter period. Oxfam has a very real presence in Democratic Republic of Congo as well. It is one of Ireland's largest humanitarian partners outside of our programme countries. Within Irish Aid, we have a very strong history of working in this region. I referenced the role of Irish peacekeepers - missionaries also played a part - over the period. This is a conflict and a humanitarian disaster that we absolutely will continue to keep to the fore at European level, at bilateral level and, more broadly, through our work with the United Nations.