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

I thank Dr. Sparrow. Over the past number of years, the committee has heard very graphic descriptions of the horror inflicted on innocent people in Syria, the displacement, the loss of life and the never-ending conflict. Her contribution today again highlights the savagery imposed on so many innocent people. In excess of 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and 5.6 million people are in acute need. Dr. Sparrow said that the people most in need of humanitarian aid are not getting it. It is a horror story. As she quite rightly said, it is the worst crisis in history.

We will take questions from members. Unfortunately we are on a tight time schedule. Ireland will take the chair of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance support group in June. It is an opportunity for our country to play a leadership role in ensuring aid to Syria is delivered effectively and in line with humanitarian principles. It is obvious to us that the principle of the impartial delivery of humanitarian aid has not been adhered to over the past number of years.

I am sure the committee will agree to bring the very important issues raised today to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his Department officials. We will ask them to ensure that when Ireland takes over the chair of the support group that it works in the most diligent and effective way possible to try to ensure humanitarian aid gets to the people who are most in need.

Due to time constraints we will take three questions together and then go back to Dr. Sparrow for a further contribution. I will call Senator Bacik, who will be followed by Deputies Niall Collins and Barrett.