Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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87. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider reducing aid provided to national government bodies and agencies in Ghana and Uganda given their decision to harden laws that criminalise same-sex relations. [21285/24]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The promotion and protection of LGBTI+ rights is a foreign policy priority for Ireland. LGBTI+ people continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systematic discrimination in many countries across the world.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin T.D. has condemned the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Act’ passed by the Ugandan parliament and signed into law by President Museveni last year. During a visit to Uganda last November, I expressed deep concern to my Ugandan counterpart at the adoption of the legislation, and the impact it would have on LGBTI+ people in Uganda.

Similarly, during a visit to Ghana earlier this year, I directly raised with Ghana’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ireland’s deep concern and opposition to legislation criminalising same sex relations. We have also raised related concerns within the EU and our wider response is being undertaken in cooperation with other EU and like-minded states.

Ireland’s engagement in Uganda and Ghana is based on our international development policy, A Better World, and guided by the Government’s Strategy for Africa to 2025. In line with these strategies, Ireland’s extensive development and cooperation work in Uganda - as well as the projects supported by Ireland in Ghana - focuses on helping the furthest behind first.

Ireland does not provide budgetary support to national government in Ghana and Uganda, nor is our aid channeled through government agencies. Uganda received €24 million in bilateral ODA support from Ireland in 2022 and Ghana €234,624. I believe that reducing funding at a time of exceptional need in both countries would have a negative impact on those most in need.

Our accredited Embassies to Uganda and Ghana will continue to engage with the relevant authorities on the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and working to ensure that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Ireland stands in solidarity with marginalised groups and will continue to work with civil society groups across the world to promote human rights.