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

I have to admit ignorance about this. I appreciate the representatives being here highlighting these tragedies, but this message has not come across generally to people.

There are always conflicts that have a sexy appeal to the media but these places tend to be forgotten. Our missionary work over the years concentrated on Africa. All of this good work is a constant struggle. I hope the opportunity of this meeting will highlight and benefit the work of the witnesses. That we could invite them here may be rewarding for them but listening to them has been equally rewarding for us.

Where does one start with this type of situation? The financial aid we provide is only a drop in the ocean in terms of what needs to be done. I appreciate that it is not the business of World Vision to try to find a political solution to what is going on but in the witnesses' experience is any progress being made such that there might come a day when they will be able to withdraw and say they contributed to that success? Many of the problems in different parts of the world tend to be ongoing because new generations tend to keep the struggle going. It seems that we are not getting to the grips with the real problem. I accept this is not the concern of World Vision in that its job is to help people through aid and education. As a committee, what can we do to help identify the real problem? Is the issue tribal differences and so on? I am ignorant as to what is the problem. Perhaps the witnesses would elaborate on what in their experience is causing this problem. For example, is it a religious problem or a dictatorship problem? What is the underlying problem that has not been dealt with? I am ashamed to say that these parts of the world are forgotten. We hear so much about other conflict areas but we rarely read or hear about South Sudan and the horrific stories relayed to us this morning. I sincerely hope that through the media this story will get out to the general public. This is not about the amount of money the Government is giving to World Vision. It is important but is only a drop in the ocean. What is more important is World Vision's obvious commitment to dealing with this situation, in respect of which it deserves moral support as well as financial support. Perhaps following this meeting the media might give this problem the exposure it needs.

I am 40 years in politics. I am horrified to admit that I have only ever heard of some of these parts of the African continent in the context of what I knew in the past about the black babies and so on. The idea that in this day and age hundreds of thousands of people have to flee their homes and countries into a neighbouring country is unreal. I reiterate that it is extremely rewarding to hear about World Vision's commitment to this area, as is the knowledge the witnesses are passing to us today. I sincerely hope that the committee will follow up with it on how matters are progressing. I ask the witnesses to be straightforward, if they can, in telling us what we can do that would be of practical assistance in making this an issue of which people are aware. I wish Mr. Keogh the best of luck in her future career.