Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has had discussions with the chief of staff with respect to the Defence Forces involvement in the proposed humanitarian assistance groups as announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38140/05]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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In the course of a speech on 18 November 2005 at the Royal Irish Academy at an event to mark 50 years of UN participation, my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, outlined his plans to set up a volunteer corps unit within his Department to harness the strong volunteer spirit which exists across the country. The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces will provide advice, as required, to this unit.

Also, in the course of the speech, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, mentioned his intention to preposition humanitarian supplies, including tents and ready to eat meals, which would be deployable at short notice, which will contribute to the immediate saving of lives. Prior to this event, the Department of Foreign Affairs had sought assistance from the Minister of Defence in relation to the development of this concept and a meeting to discuss these issues took place between civil and military personnel from the Department of Defence and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs on 11 November 2005. Arising from that meeting, an interdepartmental committee, which will include representation from the Defence Forces, is being established to proceed with this task. The first meeting of this committee will take place on 16 December next and the Minister has instructed that every support possible should be provided for this initiative.