Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
85. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the situation in Ukraine; if there is a role for regional airports such as Ireland West Airport Knock to provide support via Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15461/22]
View answerI remain very concerned by the evolving humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
My Department, through Irish Aid, is guided by the need to get resources to those affected as quickly as possible. The generosity of people in Ireland towards Ukraine, the impulse to help those in need, and the strong solidarity with Ukrainians, is very welcome and is to be commended. People in Ireland who would like to assist are advised to send funds rather than goods. This can be done through donating to established Irish and international humanitarian organisations.
My Department, through the Irish Aid programme, has responded with an initial €20 million humanitarian aid package, allocated to long-term UN and Red Cross Movement partners already on active on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. This cash has enabled immediate assistance to be delivered to Ukrainians in need, including those that have been displaced by the conflict, and to enable the work of those seeking to establish vital humanitarian corridors. A dedicated call for proposals for Irish NGOs ready to respond is also being launched.
Separately, pre-positioned Irish Aid funds meant that UN agencies were able to respond from the first day of the invasion – for example, Ireland is among the top ten donors to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, which has released over €50 million already to its Ukraine response
Working with the HSE though the coordinated EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Irish Aid has supported the dispatch of urgent medical supplies to Ukraine. Use of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism ensures fast and targeted provision of needed supplies, and helps avoid clogging of supply lines with unnecessary goods.
Given that the Irish Aid emphasis is to provide financial support to agencies already active on the ground, it is not clear what role regional airports might play in supporting my Department’s response. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage represents Ireland in the European Civil Protection Mechanism and may have views on what role, if any, regional airports might play as part of the coordinated EU response.
