Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of air transport in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively to transport overseas aid to Third World countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35047/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, through Irish Aid, is not involved in the direct contracting of air transport for the shipment of relief supplies to international crises.

A number of Irish Aid's partners in the UN and Red Cross families, as well as some of our NGO partners, arrange for the transport by ship, by road and by air of essential supplies as part of their ongoing operations in emergencies. On occasion, Irish Aid provides financial support for such operations, including the element of transport costs. However, in respect of such operations, the procurement of air or other transport means by our partners is carried out in accordance with their own respective procurement rules.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP), for example, which is the UN leader for logistics, contracts transport means in accordance with strict UN procurement rules, involving a competitive bid process. Under the Government's Rapid Response Initiative, Ireland has pre-positioned essential humanitarian supplies, non food items like blankets, tents, water tanks, kitchen sets and mosquito nets with the WFP. Under a 2006 Letter of Understanding between Irish Aid and the WFP, that organisation is tasked with the set up, procurement, management and transportation to the field — all under UN rules — of those supplies.