Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his good wishes and those of all Members who have spoken in the brief time that I have been in the House. I am delighted that this is my first opportunity to address the Seanad on this critically important issue in respect of an unfolding humanitarian disaster.

I found all the contributions by the Members very interesting, particularly those of Senators Cummins and Ormonde, which were very thoughtful and reflective and showed a clear understanding of the strategic issues at play, as did the contribution of Senator Norris who had a very good and clear understanding of the geopolitical problems that exist in that region of the world that prevent aid from getting through. Senators Bradford, Boyle and de Búrca touched on the deep and unanimous frustration throughout the House about the inability of us as an individual country, the EU and the international community to act in a way that gets aid to the people most at need quickly. This was a thread throughout all the speeches. It is the crux of this issue and should be the central point of our discussions.

As Minister of State with responsibility for overseas aid and development, we will not be found wanting as a nation, especially as the situation unfolds and becomes more clear. We have already committed significant funds. It is practically an unprecedented situation in terms of humanitarian disasters in that as an international community with all of the knowledge and information-gathering facilities available to us, we are at a loss to know the full extent and the potential horror that is taking place in the Irrawaddy Delta. That is what makes this a unique and very difficult situation.

I reiterate the condolences of the Government and the people of Ireland to the people of Burma, especially the families of the thousands who have died in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. The enormous scale and destruction of the crisis in Burma has not yet been fully defined and detailed assessments have been hampered by infrastructural damage caused throughout the region.

There is little doubt, however, that the relief effort has also been hindered by man-made obstacles, specifically obstacles to access imposed by the Burmese Government. Together with our EU partners, we have pressed neighbouring countries to use their influence to ease the restrictions the Government of Burma has placed on the flow of international aid. We are strongly supportive of the visits to the region of EU Commissioner Louis Michel and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes. We very much look forward to the visit of UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, later on this week.

Already, there have been some positive signs. In response to pressure from the neighbouring ASEAN group, it appears that the Burmese authorities have agreed to an increased flow of aid to those in need provided that such aid is channelled through regional personnel and organisations. In this unfolding disaster, I do not think any of us here in this House or throughout the country are concerned about how the aid is delivered. The humanitarian imperative is that it is delivered now. That will be the focus of my energies and efforts and those of the Government in the coming weeks.

Further delays in the provision of humanitarian relief cannot be countenanced. No further time can or should be lost in meeting the enormous needs in terms of food, drinking water, shelter, sanitation and medicines of the affected communities. Together with our EU colleagues we again urgently call on the authorities in Burma to take immediate action to facilitate the flow of aid to its own people. They are in desperate need and urgently require relief offered by the humanitarian community.

A common thread through all the contributions is the stark contrast between the approach taken by its near neighbour China, which has a history of perhaps not engaging with the international community, and that of Burma. In stark contrast, China has shown what I believe is a modern and enlightened approach to its own humanitarian disaster in respect of which we also send our thoughts and condolences. China recognises modern realities and has welcomed aid, which is in marked contrast to the Burmese Government. In that regard, we have called and continue to call on the governments of China and neighbouring countries such as Thailand to use their strategic influence in the area to affect change urgently.

For its part, Ireland has responded early and decisively to the disaster. Our stocks of relief goods, which are designed for rapid response in situations such as this, have already been shipped to the area and are on the ground. We have pledged an initial €1 million in response to the disaster. I reiterate that this is an initial response and we will not be found wanting should the need arise.

In addition, we have been approached by Concern to activate a special Irish Aid emergency response fund to this crisis. This is a two-year pilot programme which provides for a special fund from Irish Aid, my own section of the Department, to our three main NGO partners which can be activated by simple telephone call approval. I have approved the necessary relief of funds under this provision and look forward to those funds reaching the people in need on the ground as urgently as possible.

If the Burmese authorities live up to their undertakings to their ASEAN neighbours, we should quickly have a clearer picture of the scale of the disaster and of the level of need. We stand ready to respond further over the coming period. Our partners in the humanitarian community, the UN, the NGOs and the Red Cross, which operates in Burma in immensely difficult and trying circumstances, deserve enormous credit and recognition by this House and praise from the international community for what they are doing. They have our full support and encouragement in their efforts to save the lives and rebuild the lives and livelihoods of those affected by this appalling tragedy. Ultimately, although Cyclone Nargis has brought so much suffering to the people of Burma, the callous behaviour of the Burmese Government in the face of such an outpouring of goodwill and assistance from the international community has exacerbated this awful human tragedy.