Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Andrews and Mr. Elliott for their presentation. This is a serious humanitarian issue. We have neglected Africa's humanitarian crisis for too long. If such a crisis took place in a western country the response would be totally different and that amounts to discrimination against African states which are in difficulty. Are the witnesses satisfied that Europe is doing what it can to resolve both the political and humanitarian situation? The European Union has been tardy in paying attention to issues in Africa in the past.

The elections have now been postponed. Is that because there was no constitution or is it because of the conflict? Could an election under strict supervision assist in resolving the conflict or would it exacerbate it? The African Union has done some work to find a resolution but, according to the presentation we have heard today, the likelihood is of a long drawn-out conflict which will escalate and cause a lot of human suffering. The presentation suggests a level of hopelessness in respect of bringing the conflict to an end.