Chairman:

I thank Mr. Clarken and his various NGO colleagues for their contributions. I also echo the words of Deputy Darragh O'Brien on the great work that is being carried out by our Naval Service. At meetings of this committee during the previous Dáil, my colleagues and I always took the opportunity to commend the work of the different Irish NGOs and their sister organisations throughout the world who are working at the coalface in difficult circumstances. They are working with the most vulnerable and marginalised people in the world.

I am surprised that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not convened a round-table discussion with interested parties, including NGOs, who have such a vital role to play. They have so much knowledge from the actual places where displacement is occurring. In our letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, we will be strongly recommending that a round-table discussion be held with NGOs at an early date, rather than on the eve of the conference.

The presentations today, and the contributions of all members, reflect the huge concern we have about vulnerable and marginalised people throughout the world. Earlier, I mentioned a figure of 65.3 million people displaced as a result of persecution and violence. We cannot repeat that figure often enough in order to create better awareness of the horrific conditions and the vulnerability of so many innocent people. That figure is approximately 15 times the population of our State, which is more than a frightening statistic. Momentum, solidarity and a global response are all badly needed with the utmost urgency.

This joint committee was only formed at the end of last week. With the full agreement of members of the select committee, I proposed that we would have this issue as the first item for discussion at the first meeting of this committee. I was determined, along with my colleagues, that we would meet before the end of July to hear from the witnesses present. This has given us an opportunity to reflect on, and convey to the Minister, the views of our own members as well as those of the NGO representatives well in advance of the summit meeting.

I thank my fellow committee members and other Oireachtas colleagues who have attended today, including MEPs, for contributing to what has been an important meeting. I thank the witnesses for their contributions and for the ongoing work of their NGOs.