Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to provide humanitarian aid to internally displaced people in Burma through Non-Governmental Organisations based in Thailand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20979/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the vital role played by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Thailand in meeting the humanitarian relief needs of Burmese refugees. Trócaire is one of five recipients of multi-annual funding from Irish Aid. Under this Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS), Trócaire supports the work of the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), which provides essential services to the Burmese refugee population in camps on the Thai-Burma border. Trócaire has allocated over €500,000 of the funding it received from Irish Aid over the last 3 years to the TBBC.

Officials from Irish Aid have met recently with the Thailand Burma Border Consortium in relation to the budgetary needs of the TBBC for provision of relief services. Discussions are ongoing, including with Trócaire, on how best to meet these needs. I wish to assure the Deputy that Irish Aid will continue to respond to the humanitarian needs of the affected population.