Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
93. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland and the European Union can provide humanitarian assistance to India given the serious situation with regard to Covid-19 there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23946/21]
View answer116. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has had with the Indian authorities in relation to providing support for those suffering from the latest Covid-19 wave in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24139/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 116 together.
We have all seen the rapidly deteriorating situation in India as a result of the COVID-19 surge. Avoidable deaths have resulted from an acute oxygen shortage. In response, Ireland - with Irish Aid officials in my Department working in partnership with colleagues in the Departments of Health and Housing, and also the HSE - has made an emergency donation of:
- 1248 Oxygen concentrators
- 2 Oxygen generators
- 365 ventilators and breathing circuits and
- 60 non-invasive ventilators
The Indian Red Cross is providing logistical assistance to ensure that these critical supplies are utilised and installed in hospitals across India. The question of further Irish Aid contributions remains under active review.
Ireland’s contribution forms part of a coordinated EU response to provide rapid and tangible support to India. Other countries that have provided oxygen, ventilators and medicines are: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden. These donations, as well as Ireland's, have been arranged through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
The European Commission has also announced that it will allocate an initial €2.2 million in emergency funding for India, through the World Health Organisation. This funding will support case management of patients, and strengthening testing capacity.
During the recent EU-India Leader’s Summit on 8 May with Prime Minister Modi, the Taoiseach was able to directly convey deep sympathy and solidarity to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Irish people. Prime Minister Modi has expressed his appreciation to Ireland and to the EU partners for the assistance and solidarity.
Ireland and India enjoy excellent bilateral relations. The Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi has played an active role in liaising with the Indian Government on logistics, and ensuring our support is appropriate to needs.
