Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are welcome. The figures presented here today are staggering. There are 5 million Syrian refugees abroad, 6.6 million are internally displaced and 13.5 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. War and conflict create refugees as do climate change and famine. The only solution long term is a political one. There is a great deal of positive news in regard to some of the discussions in Kazakhstan. Does Ms O'Hara believe those discussions are going anywhere?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade figures set out that 974,000 people are living in besieged areas in Syria. How does the UNCHR access these people and provide them with food? How do UNHCR staff get in and out?

On Turkey, I listened to the interview earlier on "Morning Ireland". Another staggering number mentioned was the 2.8 million refugees. Does the UNHCR have a view on the EU-Turkey deal, specifically that the EU considers Turkey to be a country of safe origin? I raised this yesterday post the European Council meetings. I do not know how anyone under any criteria could consider Turkey a safe country of origin given how it violates the civil and human rights of its own citizens and others. Turkey is part of the conflict in that region. It has armed, funded and trained some of the jihadists operating in Aleppo and elsewhere. However, it is also part of the solution in the area. I read reports of a leaked letter from the UNHCR which shows that the Turkish Government is refusing and delaying access to asylum seekers in refugee camps after have been deported from Greece to Turkey. Does the UNHCR have any information on that? The UNHCR agreed in this agreement that it would be a key actor in the resettlement process. I am concerned that the UNHCR is a key actor but is not getting access to the camps. What is happening there?

In regard to vulnerable families and children in refugee camps, I have heard disturbing reports of young girls being sold off into marriage by desperate families who are refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. What is the approach of the UNHCR to tackling this problem? Does it have any programmes in the area?

One does no longer hears a great deal about Mosul. Ms O'Hara said 162,000 people had been displaced due to the fighting there. It has slipped off the radar despite the ongoing military operation. What are conditions like for people? How many are estimated to be still in Mosul?

During the evacuation of eastern Aleppo, there were widespread reports of people going missing, particularly young men following encounters with the police or state security services. Again, there were concerns following the evacuation. I am sure the UNHCR is aware of this. Is it providing support to the families of those who are missing?

There was mention of President Donald Trump. He is talking about banning resettlement for a certain period. What impact will that have directly? He is talking about greater security clearance and so on.

The pledge on funding for Syria has been mentioned by many speakers. What happens there? I do not understand why countries make pledges but do not follow through on them. Is there any attempt? Is this a regular occurrence? What excuses do they make? How do they justify pulling away after providing the pledge internationally?