Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the representatives from GOAL for their attendance. I also thank the witnesses for facilitating the visit last week of Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan and myself to the Turkish-Syrian border. While we will compile a report on the visit, it provided us with a greater understanding of how GOAL operates in this fragile region. I refer to seeing the operations ourselves at first hand, visiting the border and talking to those families that have been affected by the atrocities in Syria, as well as the entire fragile situation in Syria, the movement of different areas and the question of who takes control of an area in a particular week. When we have compiled the report, members of the joint committee should read it because it will give them a greater understanding of the complexities and challenges that exist within Syria and on the borders of Syria for the non-governmental organisations, NGOs, working there. I again thank GOAL for facilitating the visit last week.

I also thank GOAL for providing the joint committee with an update on South Sudan, as members do not wish to see that country go off the radar. The witnesses mentioned all the other current areas of conflict throughout the world and it is very easy for places such as South Sudan to go off the radar as the media move around to the different areas of conflict. As Mr. Andrews rightly stated, that country is going through a civil war with various ceasefires and so on. Obviously, the terrain there makes it difficult for the Government there to defeat the opposition or those involved in the civil war. Hopefully, there will be a peaceful solution and the European Union, the United Nations, the various neighbouring countries and the African Union will be able to contribute to that in some way. I again thank the witnesses for updating the joint committee on GOAL activities there. Members really appreciate GOAL's involvement in South Sudan and in such delicate and fragile regions. We are very proud of our NGOs that are working there amid the challenges they face in respect of the difficult terrain. I thank Mr. Elliott and Mr. Andrews for dealing so comprehensively with all the members' questions. As they can see, members have a great interest in this area and obviously it is a subject to which the joint committee will return and on which it will keep in touch with GOAL.

Is it agreed to go into private session for the remainder of the meeting? Agreed.