Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 6

Written Answers. - Emergency Relief.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

71 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has any plans to provide food and medicine for the hospitals and orphanages of the Ukraine and Belarus, where there has been an estimated 92 per cent increase in the incidence of childhood cancer, following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor on 26 April, 1986.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland is not party to any arrangements which are specifically designed to assist victims of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. However, we have been working closely with our EC partners to bring emergency relief and long term economic assistance to the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. A total of 2.2 billion ECU has already been committed by the EC in emergency food aid for these newly independent states. This has included food and some medicines for hospitals and orphanages in Minsk and Kiev.

The Government allocated £250,000 for emergency humanitarian assistance to Russia in December 1990. The money was used to purchase medicines in Ireland which were transported to hospitals in the Moscow area.

Negotiations are under way between the Community and Russia and will commence shortly with the Ukraine and Belarus with the objective of concluding wide ranging trade and co-operation agreements which will develop further our relations with the newly independent states. A programme of technical assistance is already being implemented which includes specific assistance to improve the safety of nuclear power plants in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.