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Ebola virus Shutterstock

Ireland commits a further €144K to fight worst Ebola outbreak in history

The outbreak started in Guinea in early 2014 and has spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone.

THE IRISH GOVERNMENT has committed an additional €144,000 to help fight the spread of Ebola in West Africa.

Joe Costello, the Minister for Trade and Development, made the announcement this morning – one of his last acts in the role after being demoted in today’s junior ministry reshuffle.

The funding will be used to train health workers, provide protective health equipment, and support local Ministries of Health.

Costello stressed the importance of the international response to the outbreak, which started in Guinea in early 2014 and has spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Ebola patients have been identified in more than 60 separate locations across the three countries. It is the worst outbreak of the highly-contagious virus in history.

“Sierra Leone and Liberia are partner countries for Ireland’s aid programme and we have already provided almost €230,000 to fight the disease in West Africa. This new funding will go to help the international efforts which are being coordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” Costello said.

“There is serious concern about the spread of the regional outbreak to Sierra Leone and Liberia and the WHO has deployed 150 experts to west Africa to help prevent the further spread of the virus.

“The situation remains very precarious. Irish Aid and our Embassy in Freetown are closely monitoring the situation, and coordinating response efforts with Governments and other UN, EU and NGO partners,” he added.

Deaths

Latest reports from the WHO state that there have been a total of 888 Ebola cases, including 539 deaths, since February.

The funding announced today consists of €100,000 to the International Rescue Committee in Sierra Leone to help fund awareness training, training of health workers and protective gear and hygiene materials, and €44,350 to support the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia.

Ireland has already also provided €85,000 to Concern Worldwide for their programme that aims to prevent the spread of Ebola through community awareness training and health and hygiene awareness in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Irish Aid is the Government’s programme of overseas assistance. It is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Read: Emergency talks look for ways to halt worst outbreak of Ebola in history

Read: West Africa’s Ebola virus outbreak is now “out of control”

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14 Comments
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    Mute tax slave
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:13 AM

    Of course thy will . Talk shit for a few weeks . And then Bury it . And we Joe soap gets screwed again

    65
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Dec 11th 2013, 10:57 AM

    Yes the madness goes on there’s no jail waiting for any of these. Accountability will go out the window white collar crime at its best but a non tv licence payer will go to jail Oh what a country.

    1
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    Mute Daniel Wall
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:29 AM

    Accountability!!!! Your having a laugh

    42
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    Mute gumbridge
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    Dec 10th 2013, 10:14 AM

    Nope, he’s as serious as he is deluded.

    17
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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:23 AM

    As if they already did not now it was already happening they all drink from the same source

    41
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    Mute tax slave
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:20 AM

    This man’s Sr name should be MAD . . Howling mad . If he thinks we believe any thing Wil come of this . . In future keep the money in your pocket no more teddy bears or pins for me Fu@k them greedy ba@@ards

    34
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    Mute Bobbie Byrne
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:58 AM

    Howlin: Pleeeeeeeeease attend the PAC meeting….
    Conlon: No
    Howlin: ah go on pleeeeeeeeease..
    Conlon: No
    Howlin: Pleeeeease….I’ll be your best friend?
    Conlon: No
    Howlin: Ah you’re mean!

    24
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    Mute Rúairí O’ Sullivan
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:24 AM

    Power if Compellability? Is that the same as insisting or even asking really really really nicely?

    He wouldn’t have refused unless advised to by an extremely well paid solicitor.

    If he has no legal obligation to explain his actions…..and he hasn’t actually broken any laws, why would he appear?

    14
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    Mute Rúairí O’ Sullivan
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:25 AM

    Also……if this was a legal matter, we wouldn’t be allowed to comment!

    Another of the “elite” that will get off scot free

    25
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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Dec 10th 2013, 11:21 AM

    They’ll get to the bottom of it and then what will be done? Precisely nothing!

    11
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    Mute Patricia Ann McCarthy Moore
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    Dec 10th 2013, 11:32 AM

    There would be very little need for these charities if low income families and individuals were given the basic essentials of life. I am referring to the exorbitant cost of electricity, and the soon to be introduced water charges. Ireland has a surplus supply of electricity and plans are afoot to export electricity to the U.K. Why should low income families have to use their childrens allowance to pay for those utilities. In addition the USC supplement must be abolished in order to assist working people. I know this post will elicit howls of rage from those who believe that the Banksters and their Shareholders of Ireland Inc are more deserving of the taxpayers largesse than low income families and individuals who are finding it hard to pay the bills.
    Howl all you want to.
    This is where I stand.
    1 .Free electricity and water for low income families and individuals.
    2.Abolition of USC from workers pay.

    9
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    Mute Dave Caplice
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    Dec 10th 2013, 1:14 PM

    I’ll take a few boxes of that free electricity stuff please…

    4
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    Mute Andrea McElroy
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    Dec 10th 2013, 10:49 AM

    an oireachtas committee cant hold individuals accountable they can only investigate… then report those findings back to the oireacthas where its left in their hands. should be interesting what happens… probably nothing though.

    8
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    Mute John Kavanagh
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    Dec 10th 2013, 11:04 AM

    Howlin said that the PAC is “robust” and “they normally get to the bottom of things” adding that they will “pursue this until they get the full facts”……and then they will dial 999……..ya,dream on!!!!!

    8
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    Mute Barney r
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:22 AM

    I am sure normal things will have nothing to do with what the public needs to know. With regards to the Mr. Conlons position how can you bolt so fast as to advise on investigating other people.

    7
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    Mute John Meade
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    Dec 10th 2013, 1:24 PM

    Minister for reform, dont make me laugh, i have not seen any reform, the rich get away with bloody murder while the government goes after the little people all the time, “they normally get to the bottom of things” yeah sure, and how much will it cost and how long will it take. by the way Howlin, whats your job ?, is it not to ensure this sort of shite doesnt happen, or to deflect responsibility when someone gets caught, be gone labour and take your turncoats with you.

    6
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    Mute Sean Collins
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    Dec 10th 2013, 11:21 AM

    Minister Howlin will you have a word with Del Boy rabbitte and tell him to stop making an ejit of himself, he was trying to be funny about Colm Keavney joining FF when he jumped from 3 parties himself along With Gilmore.

    5
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