Mr Éamonn Meehan:

There is one other issue in regard to Palestine that I would like to respond to, and I will then draw in my colleagues. That is in regard to the question around the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, IPSC, and its staff.

Trócaire has no relationship, in terms of funding or otherwise, with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. One member of our staff was at one point employed by that group, but Trócaire was working on this issue many years before the individual in question joined us.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of Bishop John Kirby, our former chairman, and his replacement, Bishop William Crean, the new Bishop of Cloyne. I also acknowledge the support of parishes throughout the country for the appeal by Trócaire in mid-November, which raised some €5 million in response to several humanitarian situations.