Ms Gráinne O'Hara:

I will respond first to Deputy Grealish. I am very glad to hear he had the opportunity to visit Lebanon which is one of the main host countries of both Syrian and Iraqi refugees in the region. I have been speaking more or less exclusively about Syrians, but it should not be forgotten that there are also Iraqi, Somali and Sudanese refugees. The countries in the region are hosting refugees from beyond Syria. In his conversations with the people he met Deputy Grealish presumably referred to the fundamental question in the hearts of all refugees, which is the possibility of being able to return home. I have heard that myself time and again in interactions with refugees. Lebanon is one of the locations that we cover from our office in Jordan. I was last in Lebanon just before Christmas and will be there again in the middle of February. We hear the same things Deputy Grealish heard. People would like to go home. However, they are not necessarily willing to go home until they feel things are sufficiently secure. That is why it is so important to keep a focus on the possibility of a political solution.

Lebanon is significant in that it is also one of the larger host countries for some of the religious minorities, in particular Christians. Lebanon has quite a high proportion of Christians who have fled Syria. It is a matter of concern to these communities and their leaders that they do not want to be banished permanently from the Middle East.