Land mine clearance around the world will get increased funding after the Government today pledged €1.7 million to the Halo (Hazardous Areas Life-Support Organisation) Trust.
Part-funded by the Irish Government since 1994, Halo Trust specialises in the removal of the debris of war.
The British-registered charity has received €8 million from the Irish Government since 2000 and has cleared over five million items of unexploded ordnance and mines since being set up in 1998.
The funding announced today will assist mine clearance in Afghanistan, Angola and Somalia - some of the most heavily mined countries in the world. In Afghanistan up to 640,000 mines have been laid since 1979.
Making the announcement today, Minister of State Conor Lenihan stated: "Our support for Halo Trust - a key partner in the battle against land mines - will save lives and rehabilitate communities. Their work allows communities, who have come through conflict, to safely reclaim their land and livelihoods."
Halo provides training to local communities in the removal of unexploded ordnance and mines and has 7,000 mine clearers in 10 countries.