Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to repeat the questions that have already asked. At this point, the situation is so severe that what is being done is plugging a hole but not answering a question. How long this can go on just plugging holes is a major issue. To the best of my knowledge, this issue is not high on the agenda of the European Parliament. This is a European issue. In fairness to the Italian authorities, one can understand their difficulties being the drop-off place. When the Italian economy goes bad, they come under pressure. That is not solving the problem.

The problem, as I understand it, is the breakdown on the African continent. Many countries there seem to be in bits on a regular basis. We have to take this issue to the floor of the European Parliament, to the European Commission and to the Council of Ministers. We can do our little bit, but it is like a drop in the ocean. Listening to Dr. Conor Kenny and those risking their lives, it is obvious that the level of frustration they experience must be horrific. They are picking up people - dragging them out of the sea - bringing them to Italy, going back again to do the same, yet nobody seems to be grasping the major problems. We have conferences around the world about issues, but this has to be brought to a European level. Has MSF had the opportunity of addressing Members of the European Parliament? If not, has it any proposals to do so? It is unfair to expect MSF to carry a heavy can on behalf of all of us. The only solution - and in order to feel that we are getting somewhere - is to outline a programme in which we all have to participate and which we all support.

That is the only question I am asking the deputation. They are the experts. They have been on the ground. We can give money or send our ships, but it is like a drop in the ocean. I feel so bad about the whole African continent, especially the northern part of it. I was in Somalia 20 years ago when I was Minister for Defence. The place is as bad, if not worse, now as it was then. These places are not making any progress. It is only when we go there and see with our own eyes the way these people are not even existing that we realise it. Children were in orphanages and the only things they had were the vests they wore and a bowl of rice per day. We look around the world and ask how this can go on. That was 20 years ago but it is still happening. I am searching the brains of the deputation for opinions on whether we can do something to bring this a step further. It has to be brought by a co-ordinated European approach whereby all member states have obligations.