David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am at a loss for words. I have been following this for quite some time. The word "heartbreaking" has been used more than once and it is. It is just shocking. We have covered the climate shocks, the political turmoil and the conflict internally. As we know, the Ukraine war is also having an impact in all kinds of ways. The numbers are absolutely staggering. When you see the images, you relate to the suffering. We often talk about first world problems. This is on a different scale altogether. Mr. Crowley said this is the worst famine in living memory, worse than 1992. I remember when Mary Robinson was out there and she broke down emotionally when she met people in the camps. You can understand why. I note from some briefing documents that the threshold may not yet have been reached at UN level for an official declaration of famine. In the name of God, what is the threshold if we are not at it already? If the UN did declare a famine, what difference would it make? Would it make a difference? I know some work has been done but it has been vetoed by some countries at UN level. The Security Council has its own issues. I am glad Ireland is doing what it is doing but we obviously need to do more and take the lead. We should bring that message back to the Government and the Ministers and I am sure they will do what they can. I will certainly be doing that and I am sure others will as well.