Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Murphy for her time, her opening statement and the documents she passed on. It made for difficult reading and hearing.

I want to go back to the area of humanitarian aid. I understand there are some aid workers on the ground at the moment. I fully take on board Dr. Murphy's point about military interaction with any further aid that could be delivered into the region. Does she have any more information on the capabilities of the humanitarian workers in Myanmar at the moment? What resources do they have? What is their availability to meet increasing demand as more and more people rely on them?

I am referring specifically to an article in today's edition of The Irish Timesthat states, "Up to 25,000 villagers have fled their homes and are hiding in jungles and caves" close to the Thai border. It is critical that there is unhindered and free access for humanitarian workers. This committee has heard of difficulties in other areas and the impact that has on delivering aid. What do we know about what is there? Do we know what their capabilities are, in terms of what we are expecting to be increasing numbers reliant on them?

Dr. Murphy referred to the fact that the medical system, as such, has faced significant difficulties but is there any access to medical care available, particularly, say, to the likes of children, pregnant women or those who may be suffering from malnutrition in the area?

How many members of the National League for Democracy are detained or in prison? Where are those members who are not imprisoned? What interaction are they having with the countries that surround the area? If we are now looking at a potential refugee crisis coming from this area, what is the capability of the neighbouring countries to take in those individuals, even on a short-term basis, to meet that immediate need? There is no doubt in my mind that Ireland and the EU need to work with the countries in the region because we need to see an effective and sustainable outcome to this situation and, if it is in any way possible, to halt the ongoing escalation that is taking place.