Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the ambassador. It is great to finally meet her. I was not part of the delegation to Sierra Leone. Her reputation precedes here. She congratulated her team and various others involved in respect of this matter. However, much of what we hear is that much of the work being done in Sierra Leone of which Ireland is so proud is down to Dr. Walsh and her commitment, dynamism and courage. It must be stated, of course, that the Irish team, the members of the Defence Forces involved and our NGOs have also made huge contributions.

I have two questions. One is about the death rate. I seem to remember, and I may be wrong, that when we had the representative from Médecins Sans Frontières here, he said that the death rate was about 70% and about two months ago we read reports of a possible mutation. Has the attrition rate changed? Has it gone up or down? Have the better medicine and resources that have gone in brought it down?

Last night the Minister spoke at an event for a group we have here, the All-Party Interest Group on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and Development. He made reference to the plight of women and children and the Ambassador mentioned that the mortality rate of children has increased enormously. I know we put in money but what exactly are we doing? Women and their children are always particularly vulnerable in any kind of humanitarian crisis. What can we do or what have we been doing?