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

I sincerely thank the delegates for their presentations on what are awful circumstances. The message we must send to private donors and taxpayers who provide funding for overseas aid is that those areas that have been the focus of long-term resilience programmes have been able to mitigate the effects of drought and famine. It is important that the message get across that progress is being made. We all share the delegates' frustration which was well expressed by Deputy Seán Barrett at the awful circumstances faced by millions of people throughout the world.

We will communicate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on the specific issues raised and seek a response on each individual matter. With regard to Mr. Clarken's comments on the relocation programme, committees do not meet jointly to discuss specific issues such as this. As the Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for the matter, it comes within the remit of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. Perhaps Mr. Clarken might request an opportunity to make a presentation to the committee or meet some of its members to discuss the important issue he has raised.

I commend the work of Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern and their sister agencies. Ms Conway's presentation clearly illustrated the human aspects of issues we often discuss at a macro level. When we hear about them at a micro level and the way in which they affect individuals, it brings home a stark message to all of us. I again thank all of the delegates for their presentations.