Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to use his influence within the international community to exert pressure on the Burmese military junta to allow foreign aid workers in; the level of funding the Government is contributing to the crisis in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18295/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am deeply concerned by the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis in Burma/Myanmar on 2 and 3 May. The scale of destruction is almost unimaginable. Completely accurate figures are not available, but there are estimates that more than 100,000 people have perished, with tens of thousands more missing. One and a half million people are without adequate shelter and are facing shortages of basic foodstuffs and water.

The Government of Burma/Myanmar has requested international assistance to deal with this catastrophe. The international community has moved quickly, with UN agencies on the ground, including the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a number of NGOs.

However, this positive international response has been severely hampered by restrictions imposed by the Burmese government. I am deeply concerned at the delays this has caused in the receipt of aid where it is most needed. I would strongly urge the Burmese Government quickly to facilitate access for international relief agencies, to ensure that all the people affected by this catastrophe can receive the assistance they urgently require. I would also appeal to those countries which have influence on the Burmese Government to urgently make this case. In this regard, Ireland has urged concerted action within the EU vis-À-vis Burma's neighbours.

The Government has made an initial pledge of up to €1 million for emergency relief in Burma/Myanmar. This will be channelled through established partners in emergency response, such as NGOs, UN Agencies and the Red Cross. It is important to work through agencies that are already on the ground as they have the experience, contacts and local information to be most effective. Clearly, we are ready to respond further and quickly.

In addition to the pledged funding, Irish Aid humanitarian supplies — plastic sheeting for temporary shelter, mosquito nets, kitchen sets and blankets — to the value of over €62,000 sent from our pre-positioned supplies in Brindisi, Italy, landed in Yangon on 11 May. We stand ready to provide more supplies, if requested by our partners on the ground and if access arrangements permit. Our Rapid Response Corps has also been put on stand-by for deployment.

Ireland is a strong supporter of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Red Cross Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Both Funds have released money to facilitate a speedy response to the current crisis in Burma/Myanmar. In 2008, Ireland contributed €22.6 million to the CERF and €2 million to the DREF.

Officials from my Department are in ongoing contact with our partners who have a presence on the ground in Burma in order to obtain regularly updated information on the extent of the crisis and the needs of affected communities, and to keep me fully briefed on the developing situation.