Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the apparent contradiction between the replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 225 of 24 May 2005 and 164 of 1 June 2005 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19393/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government pledged €20 million in response to the tsunami disaster in South Asia. On 24 May — as I said in reply to the first parliamentary question to which the Deputy referred — approximately €11.3 million, or 57%, of this pledge had been committed to meeting the needs of those most affected. This assistance was channelled through UN agencies, NGOs and other international organisations such as the Red Cross family with a proven record of responding to humanitarian crises.

By 1 June — the date of the second reply to which the Deputy referred — work had been further advanced in identifying, appraising and bringing forward new proposals to assist the tsunami affected region. This enabled me to say in my reply that "almost all of the €20 million allocated for the tsunami disaster has either been disbursed or is currently in the process of being allocated". The phrase "in the process of being allocated", as distinct from "has been allocated", shows there was no contradiction between the two replies. The work in question included visits to the region by the special envoy, Mr. Chris Flood, and the technical team from the development co-operation directorate of the Department.

It is important for donors to meet their pledges and obligations in regard to the tsunami and its aftermath. On this occasion, Ireland will have led by example. We will also remain engaged with the tsunami affected countries to ensure that Irish funding is used to best effect and in a transparent and accountable manner. We will bring our own experience to the recovery processes. We remain in constant touch with all stakeholders, including our partners in the UN agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross.