Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Balfe and Mr. McCaughey for their attendance. It is important for the joint committee to highlight the humanitarian situation and the witnesses have been there and have seen it for themselves. As the opposition leader from Angola has also appeared before the joint committee, members are well versed on the difficult situation the Angolan people must endure. Obviously, we will use our role in the United Nations, on its Human Rights Council and any other means possible to highlight this situation, particularly with regard to the present administration. It undoubtedly is quite difficult and the president of the opposition group UNITA expressed his real frustration at being unable to present real change, as well as the frustrations in Parliament and with the media, which are all state-controlled. It is extremely difficult and the fact that many NGOs have left Angola speaks for itself. It is something we will raise and will continue to raise. We wish the witnesses well in their work in Christian Aid and hopefully the joint committee can have a dialogue with them again in the near future. I thank them again for their attendance.