Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like other speakers I welcome our guests. I thank them for their attendance and for giving us their views and insights on the conflict areas. Dr. McMaster referred to the anger of the people in the field, which is understandable. Unfortunately, anger does not solve the problem either. The committee needs to pick the brains of the delegates as to how best we can assist from outside, with a view to focusing on the areas where assistance is most likely to have an impact. MSF has worked in many conflict areas such as in Somalia and DRC, for example. We can encourage the international community to take various initiatives.

From our own visits to the field, it is the magnitude of the problem that strikes us immediately on setting foot in such a place. We had particularly tragic experiences in Somalia and Bosnia in the western Balkans. What in Professor McMaster's opinion could we do that would be for the best?

I note that in recent days the authorities in the United States have recognised the opposition in Syria. What impact is this likely to have? Would an international arms embargo be of any help? I do not know if it would because people seem to be able to circumnavigate them and continue their activities.

What about the concept of a safe haven which, unfortunately, failed in Bosnia? I do not know how successful it might be in Syria, but it is a possibility.

What about the role that could be played by the United Nations? We know the difficulties around which it has worked in the past. It does not have the heavy artillery required to frighten people in a conflict. Even without intervention, its presence is not sufficiently authoritative to intimidate, for want of a better description, the opposing forces.

What does Professor McMaster think should be done having regard to his experiences in the area? How can we influence the international community in a way that will be of positive assistance to his organisation?