Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Haughey. I concur with his sentiments. We are operating in a difficult space, and there are some aspects which are more uncertain. Ireland, however, will continue to be that voice that the Deputy referred to. This is the approach the Tánaiste took when he went to the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday. I refer to ensuring that funding was going to continue and that the statement made by the High Representative was going to reflect this, and not only reflect it but also that there would be the continued support we need to give in future to a region that will be in an extremely difficult position in the days to come. As the Deputy said, it does not bear to think about what could happen. We will continue to undertake this work and collaborate with our counterparts. The Tánaiste had several meetings over the last 24 hours with the representatives of other countries in the region, like Jordan, to try to provide a pathway, if we can, to de-escalate what is happening there and to work to progress a solution. We must be honest, though, that it is very difficult.