Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 February 2005
166 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the establishment of a special unit to train and resource appropriate personnel for service abroad and at home in the area of disaster relief logistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2764/05]
View answerIreland has a strong record in responding to humanitarian emergencies in many parts of the world. Funding is provided to key partners such as UN agencies, NGOs and other international organisations which have a wide range of experience and skilled personnel. Government funding assists NGOs such as Concern, GOAL, Trócaire, Oxfam and others to place skilled personnel on the ground as quickly as possible. UN agencies, such as the United Nations disaster assessment and co-ordination teams, are also directly assisted.
The Defence Forces have considerable logistical expertise. For example, four skilled personnel in engineering and logistics have been seconded from the Defence Forces to work with the United Nations Joint Logistical Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the request of the UN. The personnel, who are assisting in post-tsunami disaster operations, were present on the ground within a few days of the request.
Ireland has consistently supported the development of the EU's civilian capabilities to respond to crisis situations, both in respect of natural disasters, such as the Asian tsunami, and in respect of conflict and post-conflict scenarios. We have committed civilian resources both to the mechanism for civil protection and through the civilian capabilities commitment process under the European security and defence policy. These resources range from police capabilities to rule of law experts to civil protection personnel. An action plan to improve the EU's civil response capacities was agreed earlier this week at the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting. Ireland fully supports this plan.
Skilled personnel are available in the Defence Forces, the public sector and NGOs. It is important that such skilled personnel can be deployed quickly where clear needs have been identified and coordinated. The EU and UN have a strong role to play in this regard. In addition, we will continue to work at strengthening coordination within Government and with the NGOs with a view to improving the way we respond as a nation to crises such as the recent tsunami.
