John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Defence if any member of staff of his Department or members of the Defence Forces are engaged in providing assistance or co-ordinating the provision of assistance to the countries affected by the December 2004 tsunami and recent earthquakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12322/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As soon as the scale of the recent disaster in South East Asia became clear, the Department of Foreign Affairs deployed a high-level technical assessment team, which included a member of the Defence Forces, to examine the situation on the ground and identify what assistance Ireland should offer to the affected region. Arising from its initial assessment, the team advised the Department of Foreign Affairs of an immediate requirement for two logistics planning experts and two engineers to be attached to the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre, UNJLC.

Four officers of the Permanent Defence Force were seconded, with effect from 18 January 2005 on a volunteer basis to the UNJLC in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The primary role of these personnel was to report to the UNJLC, following a detailed analysis of key priorities within their fields of expertise. The role of the logistics officers was to evaluate, on behalf of the UNJLC, the current and future transport requirements in the affected areas for the delivery of humanitarian aid and to recommend solutions to overcome any identified shortfalls. The role of the engineers was to examine the road infrastructure in the affected areas, specify the rehabilitation and repair requirements and establish repair priorities so as to restore a functioning transport network in the area.

At the request of the UNJLC, an assessment of transport and logistics requirements in the north and north-east of the country was conducted. In addition, the engineers completed a full and detailed analysis of the south and south-east coastal road system. All four officers have since completed their work with the UNJLC and have returned home to Ireland.

No further requests for Defence Forces assistance have been received. However, in the event that the Defence Forces have the capacity and resources to offer further required assistance in the region in specified roles, this will be examined on a case-by-case basis having regard to the requirements and the situation on the ground. I can assure Deputies that the Government is very positively disposed towards supporting the relief effort in the affected areas to the greatest possible extent.