The Government's global humanitarian assistance budget for 2003 is €23 million. Priority is given to funding the most vulnerable groups in least developed countries, with a particular emphasis on Africa. Iraq will now become an additional part of our humanitarian programme. The Government will respond as generously and as effectively as possible to the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable Iraqi people in their time of greatest need. We will fund those agencies and NGOs optimally placed to deliver the wide range of basic needs and services which will be essential to protect those most at risk.