Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Defence if unilaterally or in conjunction with his EU colleagues, consideration has been given to the setting up of a Europe wide disaster response force capable of dealing with major catastrophes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2608/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that in the context of the current disaster in Haiti there are a number of responses that can be made by Ireland, the EU, and other international organisations.

The immediate EU response to the earthquake in Haiti and its terrible consequences was dealt with at an emergency meeting of EU Development Ministers on Monday of this week attended by my colleague the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton has undertaken to co-ordinate the response with the US and UN authorities. The EU has pledged €122 million in immediate humanitarian assistance in response to the Haiti disaster.

The EU has a wide range of instruments, both civilian and military, which it can use to come to the aid of people in difficulties. The EU is constantly increasing its various capabilities, including its ability to response quickly to catastrophes. After the meeting in Brussels on Monday Minister of State Power emphasised the importance for the EU as a whole to learn from the experience of the response to this disaster. This will include addressing the rapid response capability of the EU.

Minister of State Power is co-ordinating the Irish pledges of assistance to Haiti. Ireland is contributing €20 million to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund. Also, Ireland is providing €2 million which is being channelled directly through Irish NGOs and UN humanitarian agencies. Earlier this week, a consignment of over 80 tons of essential humanitarian supplies was freighted to Haiti, this is one of the largest consignments of humanitarian supplies ever provided directly by Ireland.

Ireland is also deploying two highly-skilled members of Ireland's Rapid Response Corps to assist the World Food Programme, others are on standby and are expected to be called upon over the coming days and weeks.

In addition, a three-person Irish Aid technical assessment team, which includes an officer of the Defence Forces and two officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs will conduct a week-long mission in Haiti.