Written Answers. - International Aid.
Dick Spring
Ceist:
25
Mr. Spring
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will consider granting disaster relief to the people of Montserrat whose efforts at reconstruction in the wake of the volcanic eruption were recently described by the Chief Minister of the Island to his Department's officials.
[22353/00]
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:
84
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if, following the recent visit of the Chief Minister of Montserrat, he will give a positive response to his request for aid and technical assistance, particularly in the light of historic Irish connections with the people of the island and the devastation caused by the volcanic activity there.
[22550/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 84 together.
In 1997 a major volcanic eruption affected the British territory of Montserrat causing the evacuation of the population to neighbouring islands or to the safer northern part of the island. The British Government immediately responded by providing assistance for emergency shelter and medical needs. Due to the existing damage and the ongoing threat of eruptions the southern part of the island has been declared unfit for habitation. Scientists have predicted that this will remain the case for many years.
Montserrat is now seeking to develop the rela tively safe northern part of the island to make it suitable for the entire population. Over the past three years the British Government has funded a massive development effort to achieve this objective. More than £75 million sterling has been spent to date and this level of assistance will continue for the foreseeable future. Apart from the basic needs of housing and sanitation, advances have been made in restoring health and educational services. Funds are also used to support the scientific team which monitors the volcano and provides advance warning of volcanic activity.
During his visit to Ireland, the Chief Minister of Montserrat, Mr. David S. Brandt, and his delegation gave briefings on the current situation in their country. Advances have been made in restoring services and infrastructure, for example in the education and health sectors. The British Government is addressing reconstruction needs on the island. To date it has provided the equivalent of £15,000 for every person on Montserrat. Current efforts to rehabilitate the island are not therefore related to disaster or emergency relief but rather aimed primarily at the restoration of the country's economic infrastructure. This is considered essential in order to create the employment and income opportunities which will enable those who fled the crisis on Montserrat to return to sustainable livelihoods. It is also wished to avoid the creation of a mono-sectoral economy and new sectors are therefore being explored by the Montserrat authorities, including for example, that of e-commerce.
In the course of his visit to Ireland, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Mr. Kenneth Cassell, Director of the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Ernestine Cassell, Director of Tourism and Mrs. Angela Greenway, Director of Development. The focus of their visit is reflected in the organisations with which they had meetings in Ireland – these included the Department of Foreign Affairs, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the National Software Directorate and the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland.
The Montserrat delegation were warmly received during their visit in a manner reflecting the historical links between our two countries – these were also discussed. Options to provide the type of technical assistance being sought by Montserrat were discussed and are being explored bilaterally in follow-up to the visit.
Question No. 26 taken with Question No. 12.
Question No. 27 taken with Question No. 10.
