Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's detailed report on his visit to the Middle East. It was an important visit. I welcome the fact that he and the Tánaiste continue to highlight the terrible humanitarian disaster in Syria and adjoining regions. I welcome also the fact that Ireland continues its support in a very positive manner through overseas development assistance to ease some of the humanitarian disaster in that region. In the opening paragraphs of his contribution, the Minister of State mentioned a donor pledging conference for Syria in January in 2014. I hope that conference reviews the pledges that have been made and not honoured by some major countries. We know from previous discussions both here and in the House the position in regard to the Irish contribution and also the EU's role as a substantial donor. In his concluding remarks he referred to the political turmoil and the humanitarian disaster. It is important that the humanitarian disaster in Syria and adjoining regions continues to be highlighted. Some of our non-governmental organisations such as Trocaire work with sister organisations in those areas and their work is to be commended.

During the time the Minister of State was in the Middle East the World Bank issued a report claiming that Israeli restrictions are costing the Palestinian economy €3.4 billion on an annual basis. It is obvious that those restrictions undermine the generous support Ireland gives to the Palestinian Authority. Such restrictions curtail the effectiveness and sustainability of this development assistance.