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

I welcome the delegation, which is carrying out important work. The Chairman referred to the need for public support for the programme. In challenging economic times, this country continues to provide a very substantial aid programme. The taxpayers and the public at large need to know that money is being put to good use. Syria is the humanitarian crisis of this generation and it was most disappointing that the international community failed to make sufficient pledges at the recent humanitarian pledging conference. One of the issues mentioned to us all the time is that where humanitarian assistance is sought in times of crisis, it often does not get to the people most in need. Maybe that is not directly under the delegation's remit but it is an issue which should always be at the forefront of our minds, that is, that humanitarian assistance gets to the people most in need.

Is there any country whose aid programme appears to deliver better results than those of other countries? Directly funded programmes and assistance provided by NGOs are of critical importance. Our NGOs meet us regularly and we are very proud of the work they do in so many stricken areas. Internationally, is there enough accountability in regard to NGOs?