Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights meets with former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, ahead of the Minister’s visit to the areas devastated by the recent earthquake in Pakistan

The Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights met with Albert Reynolds this afternoon to receive Mr. Reynolds' report of the findings from his recent visit to Pakistan where he headed up Ireland's delegation to the Reconstruction Conference. 

Minister Lenihan is leaving tomorrow for a joint visit to Pakistan with the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation, Agnes van Ardenne. The focus of the visit is to assess progress in the relief and rehabilitation efforts currently underway and to meet with those responding to the disaster including the Government of Pakistan, UN and Red Cross partners and Non-Governmental Organisations, including Concern, Goal and Trócaire.  Minister Lenihan will travel to affected areas including Bagh and Muzaffarabad.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Lenihan said “The situation in Pakistan remains extremely worrying.  There are still an estimated 3 million people suffering from inadequate shelter ahead of a hugely severe winter.  I will travel to the affected region tomorrow to see at first hand the efforts being made to assist these vulnerable populations, including with the financial support of the Irish Government.”

“I would like to commend the work of our partners on the ground including the Irish NGOs Concern, Goal and Trócaire which are having a real impact on the lives of those affected”. 

“Albert Reynolds' report is a very useful contribution.  It paints a bleak but accurate picture of the situation. His report will form a basis for my discussions with the Pakistani authorities, partners and agencies.”

Albert Reynolds said “Like everyone, I was shocked and saddened by the effects of the earthquake in South Asia.  The ongoing relief and recovery effort continues to be a long and difficult one.  I hope that the findings of my visit will assist in further strengthening the already timely and generous response by Ireland to this terrible human tragedy”. 

8 December 2005

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8 ^th December 2005