Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will include reference to that. I want to acknowledge what Deputy Brady said earlier when he indicated a proposal that we would accept the recommendations as put forward and we should do that. We can include reference to what Senator Craughwell said, albeit that is a difficult political issue. I agree we should look at options when it comes to Afghanistan but there are real and serious political concerns about any form of recognition of the regime there. I do not see any options on the table and if members agree with that we can urge the Government to look at a suite of options that do not appear to be present in Afghanistan at the moment.

I notice members of the media present this afternoon. We were previously restricted in that regard due to Covid. I would remind them, as I remind our guests, that this time last year the committee produced an important and comprehensive report on Covid-19, vaccine equality and COVAX, which Deputy Brady referred to. We should reiterate and reaffirm our support for the contents of that report, which might not have found favour in the greater political debate, as they did within the confines of this room. I acknowledge Deputy Brady’s reminder of that and I agree with him. I acknowledge the important work of Irish Aid and Misean Cara, as has been mentioned. I will leave the final word to Ms McKenna and I thank her for being with us.