Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegations from Trócaire and, in particular, Médecins Sans Frontiéres, who are paying their first visit to the committee. I am sure it will be the first of many visits. The picture painted was a very human one of great suffering and deprivation and one which must be of grave concern to us all. I very much applaud the amazing work which has been done over the years in areas of conflict by organisations like Trócaire and Médecins Sans Frontiéres. We should never forget the wonderful volunteers who work in very difficult circumstances to try to improve the lot of the less fortunate on our behalf.

The picture painted is particularly grim, with little sign of improvement. The number of people who are unaccounted for, the 200,000 people who are in dire circumstances and the inability of people to sow crops for fear of being killed in the fields is intolerable. It is a very complex political situation which I do not understand.

Deputy Neville gave a very human description of his visit there. Is any progress being made? What is happening on a day-to-day basis on the ground to try to improve the situation and bring an end to the violence and killing?

I support Senator Walsh in urging us to adopt the proposals put before us. I have no doubt the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will take the opportunity to raise the situation at every forum in which he has influence. We must ask, however, if that is enough. Where are the more powerful nations and what are they doing? We have seen figures that indicate when it comes to putting their hands in their pockets, some of the wealthier nations lag behind what we in Ireland are prepared to do for the less fortunate. What should we do about that to put pressure on the more powerful nations to play their part in bringing an end to the conflict and improving the lot of the people in South Sudan?

I thank the witnesses for a very insightful presentation. The danger is that some of these areas of conflict can go off the radar from time to time when difficulties arise elsewhere and the media lose interest. It is important we retain focus on what is happening on the ground and I wish the witnesses continued success and assure them of our continued support in their work for the less fortunate.

Members are well briefed because we have had a number of informal meetings on this in recent months. George Clooney highlighted the situation when he protested in the US Congress in Washington after his visit to the region. The situation is difficult in South Sudan; it is hard for NGOs to even traverse the region because of the terrain, which makes it difficult to get aid in and out for those unfortunate people.