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

Is our contribution to international organisations based on our GNP at a particular time or do we have any input into determining the amount we pay to international organisations? When we are talking about international organisations, it would be remiss of us if we did not mention the desperate humanitarian situation, loss of life, murder and mayhem in Syria. Perhaps it is a matter we can discuss with the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and development as well. The pictures we saw late last night through some of the international television channels were really frightening. Talk about inhumanity. The Tánaiste assured us during Question Time that he will continue to highlight the urgency of reaching a resolution regarding the Syrian crisis at each Foreign Affairs Council meeting. I am sure the international community would be critical of the UN and the lack of a Security Council resolution. It is an issue we need to keep highlighting, as well as the non-functioning of the UN at certain times during humanitarian crises throughout the world.