asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest information available to him regarding casualties in the earthquake in Soviet Armenia; if there are believed to be any Irish citizens in the affected areas; if, in view of the huge number of casualties and extensive damage, the Irish Government will offer any medical or technical assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Question. - Earthquake in Soviet Union.
Information received from various sources indicates that there has been very severe devastation in the area affected by the earthquake, wiping out whole villages and severely damaging towns and cities. Estimates of casualities have been put as high as 30,000 to 50,000.
The Irish Embassy in Moscow has reported that, so far as it is aware, there are no Irish citizens in the devastated area. However, it is liaising closely with the Soviet authorities and its EC partners in the matter. In relation to relief aid, may I note that no request for assistance has been received from the Soviet Union, but will help in any way required. The President is sending a message of sympathy to the President and people of the Soviet Union and I have sent a similar message to my counterpart, the Soviet Foreign Minister.
I thank the Minister for taking the question today. The Minister in his reply indicated that there was no request for aid and I appreciate that fact, but would the Minister not agree that it would be important and would certainly be appreciated by the people of the Soviet Union if a direct offer were made. I appreciate that there is a limit to the assistance we can give but I am sure an offer will be greatly appreciated by the people of the Soviet Union even if we could offer assistance only by way of a goodwill gesture.
I can have conveyed to the Soviet authorities that we will help in any way we can. One must leave it to them in the final analysis.
I appreciate that and thank the Minister again for taking the question.