Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 6 April 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence

Famine in Africa and Yemen: Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern

9:30 am

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the next part of the meeting, we will hear from representatives of Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern about the terrible famine that is currently happening across large parts of Africa and in Yemen. The witnesses are all very welcome. The members of the joint committee look forward to hearing their first-hand accounts of the developing crisis. I welcome Mr. Henry Gray, who is a senior emergency desk manager with Médecins Sans Frontières and has travelled from Brussels to join us today. I also welcome Ms Gillian Conway of Médecins Sans Frontières, who recently returned from nursing in South Sudan; and Mr. Sam Taylor, who is the director of Médecins Sans Frontières Ireland. I also welcome Mr. Jim Clarken, who is the chief executive officer of Oxfam Ireland; and Ms Marissa Ryan, who is Oxfam Ireland's head of advocacy and campaigns. I also welcome Mr. Feargal O’Connell, who is a regional director with Concern Worldwide. I understand they have agreed to speak on specific areas.

This latest famine is of grave concern. It seems from all the warnings that it is potentially the worst famine for 30 years. Famine causes starvation and death among millions of people and leads to mass internal and external displacement. It is vital for this committee to get an opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from areas affected by famine. Collectively, we need to ensure the international sector becomes fully prepared and mobilised to ensure every possible action is taken to try to minimise and alleviate the effects of famine in these regions.

I remind those present in this room to switch off their mobile phones.

I remind members of the committee of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I ask Mr. Gray to make his opening statement. He will be followed by Ms Conway, Mr. Clarken and Mr. O'Connell.

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