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

I welcome the contributions of Mr. Andrews and Mr. Elliott. They paint a very worrying picture of a desperate humanitarian situation in South Sudan. I join with Mr. Andrews in extending sympathy to the family of the British aid worker who has lost his life doing good humanitarian work.

Over the past months I was very glad to see on Sky News and BBC World News, the presence of GOAL workers in efforts to deal with the Ebola outbreak. I compliment all GOAL workers as well as Mr. Andrews, who were out in the field in very difficult circumstances dealing with that very serious virus.

Mr. Andrews stated that 1.5 million people have been internally displaced and more than half a million people have fled to neighbouring countries. What is the total population of South Sudan? I understand that a pledging conference was hosted by Norway last May at which $600 million was pledged. We hear about pledging conferences but the follow-up and the delivery of pledges is critical. Has GOAL access to information on the moneys provided to date by those pledges made by so many countries? The aim of the pledges is to ensure rapid humanitarian assistance and essential supplies.

Mr. Andrews has explained that immediate further assistance is needed because of the onset of the rainy season. The committee received a briefing from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which stated that Irish Aid will decide in March or April on applications for further funding. I presume it would be helpful if the committee could recommend that the Department would make an early decision.

That would be beneficial to our guests in the context of planning their work programme and getting assistance to those people who are in most need. Our guests stated that in light of their flexibility and ability to deliver a service to those most in need, NGOs are better placed than the UN to provide assistance. The figures I have seen indicate that most of the Irish Aid funding allocated in respect of South Sudan has been given to NGOs. Is that correct?

The picture Mr. Andrews and Mr. Elliott have painted for the committee is frightening. I wish them and their colleagues in GOAL, who are operating in very difficult circumstances, well in their very important work.