Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join other members in welcoming Mr. Andrews and Mr. Elliott and I thank them for their very fine presentation. I join with colleagues in extending sympathies to the family of the British aid worker who was killed in recent days. I salute all the wonderful people who work on the ground in troubled parts of the world bringing hope, aid and humanitarian assistance to the most deprived people on the planet.

The provision of aid is critical to our discussion today but, as others have said, a long-term political solution is a must if progress is to be made. It is clear that the difficulties have their origins in problems between the President and Vice President going back to 2013, and that oil also plays a part. Is there any evidence of willingness on the part of the warring factions to resolve the political difficulties? Is there any shred of confidence that a settlement can be reached?

The witnesses spoke of a shrinking humanitarian space. I understand that the South Sudanese Government does not welcome the aid agencies, NGOs and other members of the international community but if they were not there, providing assistance to displaced people, how would the Government provide assistance on its own? It should welcome as much assistance as it can get for deprived people in South Sudan.

We have built up considerable influence at the UN and in the EU over the years and we continue to use that influence but how can we ramp it up? What suggestions can the witnesses make to leverage that influence even further into the future?