Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses. Today is a real wake-up call for all of us. Until we heard from people who have worked in the area I do not think the seriousness of the situation had hit home with many of us, and I would include myself in that category. Deputy Byrne asked a question I was going to ask, but I will ask it in another way. We all hope there will be a positive response to the call made by Mr. Andrews and Dr. Fitzpatrick for Irish doctors, nurses and health professionals to volunteer. There is great concern among parents and relatives about those volunteering to go to west Africa. Is there a vaccine which can be administered to volunteers before they travel to Sierra Leone or an area affected by ebola?

The other frightening statistic Dr. Fitzpatrick of MSF mentioned was that 50% of all cases were being treated by MSF personnel. How long more can MSF sustain handling that percentage of the cases, who is taking care of the other 50%, are other agencies helping now and are other countries coming to MSF's assistance? Dr. Fitzpatrick might clarify exactly what MSF wants the committee and the European Union to do, and the top three issues it wants addressed as a matter of urgency.