Dr. Mary C. Murphy:

I thank the Chairman and all members for their very insightful questions and, in particular, for their engagement on this issue, which is very welcome. I have spent recent days speaking to colleagues, one or two of whom are still on the ground in Myanmar, and others who have been working in the region.

They are colleagues I have worked with in the past on surveys we have conducted in Myanmar. All of them are devastated by the recent events in Myanmar, none more devastated than the Burmese people I worked with on the ground in Myanmar, many of whom are young people in their 20s, 30s and 40s who really began to experience freedoms and democratic stability in the past ten years or so. I cannot stress to the committee how resolute they are about meeting the challenges of the current situation, defeating the military coup and returning to the democratisation process. There is an onus on all of us and on the international community to support, recognise and assist that effort because it is the efforts of those people on the ground who wish to see a return to democracy in Myanmar that will ensure the situation stabilises.

Having said all of that, it is very important for the international community to recognise the seriousness of the crisis in Myanmar and the potential for it to become a failed state in one of the most important geopolitical and economic regions in the world. That will have consequences for all of us, even those here in Ireland on the western periphery of the European Continent.

I would offer the committee any further assistance in the future. I can speak to any of the members privately about the recommendations I have made. I can, if necessary, help to put them in contact with further witnesses or individuals within Myanmar they may wish to engage with.

I thank the members most sincerely for their time and their interest. I know that colleagues in Myanmar are watching today's event and taking heart from their interest in what is happening in the country. I hope that it will translate further into actions and a greater purpose in terms of assisting that effort in Myanmar right now.