Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The delegates are very welcome. We welcomed a delegation from Doctors Without Borders previously. It will not do the delegates' cause much good to simply express our congratulations and admiration for their work and tell them they are walking saints, but we do applaud their work. Having said that, we must come to terms with what can we do. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan has mentioned that a delegation of medical personnel from Syria has come before us previously to plead with us to release medical equipment and appliances to them in the field. They were disappointed that the Irish State would not release equipment to them as "fighters" or people involved in the struggle. However, we made an extra special fund available to the United Nations or one of the agencies recognised as a reliable funding channel.

Do the delegates' organisation receive any funding made available by Irish Aid? If we were to plead with the Minister concerned to provide further support for Doctors Without Borders, are the delegates preparing themselves should that happen? I understand scud missiles are being dropped and that there is a huge international fear that chemical weapons might be used. Is the delegates' organisation being pre-emptive in that respect? Have they examined the possibility that they will require appliances, equipment or medicines in the event that there is chemical warfare?