Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I extend my sincere condolences to the people of Haiti, especially the loved ones of the approximately 200,000 people who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake that struck their country and continues to wreak havoc there. Our thoughts also go to the family of the Irish man Andrew Grene, who tragically lost his life in the disaster while serving with the United Nations. We should also extend our sympathy to Concern on the death of one of its volunteers and to the UN itself, which lost so many of its staff in the earthquake.

The scale of the devastation, based on eyewitness reports and what we have seen on our televisions, is considerable, with Port-au-Prince and other cities almost completely destroyed. In addition to the major loss of life and the destruction of the main government buildings and that housing UN personnel and staff, most of the communications infrastructure was either gravely damaged or destroyed beyond repair. The UN, which would have been expected to play the lead role in co-ordinating the relief effort, was seriously hampered in its organisational capacity due to the loss of staff. In view of all these factors, including the lack of disaster preparedness planning and the weakness of the government's capacity to respond, it is no surprise that aid did not immediately reach people who desperately needed it.

The American response was swift, welcome and absolutely necessary, and it brought much-needed leadership and co-ordination to what quickly descended into a chaotic situation. We were all anxious about the delay in bringing aid to these poor people, but thankfully things are improving each day, as has been explained by all of the aid agencies. Food, water, sanitation, shelter and medical expertise are the most urgent requirements in the short term. However, the international attention and resources that are now available must be used to lay the foundations of a more productive, fair and stable Haiti in the longer term.

It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the Irish aid agencies, which have responded in magnificent fashion, as we have come to expect from them. The generosity of the Irish people knows no bounds, which never ceases to amaze me. For example, in my small parish of Sacred Heart in Waterford, our curate informed the church congregation that €2,000 had been collected during the first two masses the previous weekend, although I am not sure what the total figure was. This is typical of the generous response of the Irish people and I am sure it was replicated throughout the country.

The motion states that the Seanad "supports the Government in its efforts to assist the people of Haiti in the aftermath of recent earthquakes". I have no problem with this motion, and to table an amendment, which is customary, would deflect attention from the overwhelming desire of all in the House to channel our support and show our solidarity with the people of Haiti.

The Irish Government's response is part of a combined European relief effort. I would like to see the EU take a more hands-on approach and make it clear to the people that we stand by them. Not only will we provide rescue workers, medical personnel, food and shelter now, but we will pledge to assist them in the long-term reconstruction of their country. Haiti has been bedevilled by corruption and poor government for many years. However, the fact that the Prime Minister has acknowledged that the country needs a government that is smaller, costs less and does more is a small step in the right direction.

At the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, we have listened to reports from Concern, the Red Cross and Haven. Two of the people involved came back from Haiti to inform us of what was happening on the ground. It is certainly disastrous. What the representatives told us was in many cases harrowing to listen to. Before the earthquake, Haiti was one of the poorest countries in the western world, with half the population living on about a dollar a day and an unemployment level of 54%. What it faces now is the necessity of rebuilding almost 75% of its capital city. Can we imagine what it would be like if 75% of our capital city here was knocked down? That is what is facing the people of Haiti at present.

Haiti has been the subject of much media attention but, when the cameras are gone, I hope the international community will not walk away from its responsibilities. After the hurricanes, more than €100 million was pledged by the international community but, up to now, only about 15% of this was forthcoming. I urge the Minister of State to ensure the same thing does not happen now. The pledges that are made must be honoured. I am sure they will be honoured by our Government but it must be ensured the EU and the international community honour the pledges made in order that Haiti can be rebuilt properly by erecting earthquake proof buildings similar to those built by Denis O'Brien. It would be remiss of me not to mention the great work being done by him and the employment he is providing. His company was able to construct earthquake proof buildings and there is no reason all other buildings should not be constructed in a similar fashion in future.

I urge the Minister of State to do his utmost to ensure the international community honours its pledges in the long term. Aid will flow in the short term but proper co-ordination is the issue. We must look beyond the short to medium term and consider the long term for the population of Haiti, which has suffered such devastation. I am happy to support the motion.