Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Our guests stated that this matter is not attracting much publicity and they thanked us for putting it on our agenda. That is great but an article in The Irish Timesearlier in the week suggests that both sides in the conflict are recruiting child soldiers. Will Mr. Andrews indicate whether this is a tribal war or a civil war? Will he also outline how ethnicity is defined? The EU has placed great faith in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. It may have been that body, or the UN, which, as Mr. Andrews pointed out, announced success last night in terms of the conclusion of a peace accord. Does GOAL support the EU in its attempts to pressure both sides in the conflict through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development or is it of the view that an alternative strategy should be evolved? Will Mr. Andrews indicate whether this is a political issue, whether a civil war is already in train or whether there is a government in place which has control? Will he also outline the position regarding the ethnic-tribal question?

I compliment GOAL on the work it is doing in Ethiopia. Will Mr. Andrews explain how 90% of the populations of the two camps in Ethiopia comprise women? Does it mean that the men are all away fighting or what is the position?