Ms Emer O'Connell:

I thank Mr. Burgess. As we have indicated, we provide significant support through multilateral organisations, in particular the UN. In that context, Ireland is the fifth largest contributor to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF, which provides very quick assistance when there is a spike in a particular crisis or in the event of a natural disaster, such as in the Caribbean. The CERF has recently allocated $10 million to the Caribbean crisis. Proportionately, therefore, Ireland's contribution amounts to approximately $660,000. We are considering other contributions. As has been mentioned, we provide core support to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The federation, in particular, is responding directly, working through local Red Cross partners. We are also looking at directly supporting the Irish Red Cross. We have a rapid response initiative in Irish Aid, through which we provide specialist expertise in dealing with particular emergencies. We will be deploying a member of our rapid response roster to the Caribbean humanitarian assistance officer.