Ms Mary Van Lieshout:

Members asked what specific steps can be taken by the committee. We have articulated three particular asks. Deputy Crowe asked about our level of confidence in Ireland's ability to influence some of the players involved in the conflict. This is the largest single focus humanitarian support project in which Ireland has been involved. Per capita, Ireland is one of the top 20 donors in the world to the alleviation of the Syria crisis, which places us in a very strong leadership position and gives us the ability to use the Brussels conference to advocate for continued multi-year annual funding that allows humanitarian partners to plan and support people over a considerable period of time. It is very important that the Brussels conference next week be used to demonstrate Ireland's leadership and to use that voice to encourage others to call for the political settlement that is required.