Irish assessment team to depart for tsunami-ravaged areas

The team appointed by the Government to visit the areas of south Asia affected by the St Stephen's Day tsunami is due to depart for the region later today.

The team, which includes a logistics expert from the Army, has been asked to assess what further assistance Ireland can give to the devastated region.

Meanwhile, two senior gardaí despatched to help in the search for Irish victims are also due to arrive in Thailand today.

The gardaí will be focusing their efforts on locating the bodies of the three Irish people still missing and feared dead following the disaster.

The body of one Irish person, Dubliner Eilis Finnegan, was found among the dead in Thailand earlier this week.

Speaking yesterday, Defence Minister Willie O'Dea said the Government would also be willing to commit troops if their assistance was required in south Asia.

"There doesn't seem to be any shortage of personnel, but there may be a shortage of organisational ability, or of transport materials and we feel that maybe the Irish army can provide that," he said.

"We've asked the United Nations if we can help and, if so, how."