Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are all in awe and are full of admiration for people who knowingly and willingly put themselves in physical danger in order to do the job they know needs to be done. So many situations are at the mercy of the media. I do not think the media are giving Syria the attention it deserves. This is certainly the case with regard to the humanitarian aspects of the conflict. We hear about the political situation but not about the humanitarian situation. We are at the mercy of the media as to what they choose to report.

I have a question about how the organisation plans to access the other areas of Syria. Is there some hope that it will be possible to do so? I refer to the psychological distress suffered by children. Physical care is the priority but the psychological effects are equally if not more demanding and the organisation does not have those resources. What are the conditions in the camps on the Syrian border? Some countries are concerned about them. I am particularly interested in the Kurdish issue. Some refugees have fled to Iraq. Are these Kurdish Syrians in the main? A group of doctors told the committee about the issue of getting medical supplies. They were looking for the support of the committee and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to help them get the supplies to where they are most needed. They did not suggest that the Red Crescent was not a neutral organisation but some civilians are afraid to avail of those services. I understand the delegates may be limited in what they can say.