Ms Liz O'Donnell:

We have had meetings with several Ministers of State in recent years but the most recent one was with the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, and the head of Irish Aid. He is open to the suggestion and Ms de Barra and Mr. Casey have been discussing it with the humanitarian group at the Department. We are hopeful that, having heard our presentation today, they will want to move this on to the next stage. The Minister of State is aware of the DEC in the UK and the supports we have had. We have run four successful appeals and I think we have proven that the concept is fit for purpose, and we hope the Minister of State will look favourably on our request for match-funding in order that the alliance can really be a strategic partnership with the Government to respond quickly and efficiently to emerging disasters, including humanitarian disasters such as the rebuilding of Gaza.