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

Absolutely. As I said earlier, we are providing consular assistance to her family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time because it will be a very difficult time.

As Senator Chambers rightly said, Ireland has been to the forefront in trying to build consensus, working with our European partners, and trying to be that voice of humanitarian assistance to ensure there are as many channels as possible. The competent authorities to deliver aid into the region are the UN and the NGOs, and we have to continue to work through that mechanism. It concerns me to see the number of attacks and bombings, like those on the corridor into Egypt. That will be vital in the days and weeks ahead. If there is any further destruction or if that becomes more compromised than it already is, that will present a huge challenge.

I do not know the programme of calls the Tánaiste has today but I do know that in recent days, he has been very busy interacting with countries in the region and with other foreign ministers, again trying to advance peace and de-escalation and ensure that aid gets to those who really need it at this time. We will continue to do that in the days ahead.