Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made in regard to the development of the voluntary humanitarian corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6827/06]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed the proposals for the development of the voluntary humanitarian corps with the Department of Defence or with representatives of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6826/06]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Defence Forces will have the lead role in co-ordinating Ireland's response to disasters, both natural and man-made and in co-ordinating civilian volunteers for such responses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7213/06]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Defence Forces will have the lead role in co-ordinating Ireland's response to disasters, both natural and man-made, and in co-ordinating civilian volunteers for such responses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7508/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 125, 176 and 233 together.

Last November my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, announced two initiatives to coincide with the Government's decision to make substantial increases in Ireland's programme of official development assistance over the coming years. These are: first, to establish a rapid response initiative with the aim of strengthening Ireland's response to emergencies and disasters in developing countries; and, second, to facilitate and harness the vibrant volunteering spirit which is thriving in Irish society today.

Disasters such as the tsunami, the food crisis in Niger and the Pakistan earthquake all served to direct public attention towards natural and man-made disasters and the international response. It is clear that the international community needs to respond more effectively to such disasters and crises. At EU level Ireland has pushed for a stronger Union response.

My Department is now engaged in planning a more operational and value-added response to humanitarian crises, through the development of a distinctively Irish rapid response initiative. This initiative will include: the pre-positioning and transportation of humanitarian supplies to disaster areas; the availability of a roster of highly skilled and experienced individuals, including from the Defences Forces, for deployment at short notice to situations of great need; and the creation of stand-by arrangements and support to highly-regarded international humanitarian response agencies and mechanisms. Officials from my Department are working closely with counterparts in the Department of Defence, the Defences Forces and other relevant Departments to ensure that the initiative is carried forward in a planned and co-ordinated fashion.

In order to advance volunteering, the creation of a dedicated unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs has also been announced. It will have a clear and straightforward mandate — to harness and facilitate the strong volunteer spirit, the interest in development work and the wide range of abilities that exists throughout the country. This will be advanced by the establishment of a dedicated information centre to provide information to the public on opportunities for volunteering and to provide information on all aspects of Ireland's overseas aid programme. This facility will be in a highly visible and accessible location in the city centre and will be opened later this year.

These two initiatives are aimed at bringing forward important aspects of public involvement in the aid programme. I want to strengthen public awareness of, and buy-in to, our aid programme which is already widely admired internationally. It is vitally important that Irish people should be proud and genuinely feel a part of Ireland's efforts to reduce poverty worldwide.