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

I am sorry; I thought there were others before me. I welcome the witnesses. It is great to see the anniversary of Irish Aid's 1974 establishment. I was doing the leaving certificate that year, which was a long time ago. A lot of work has gone on in that time but, looking at what is happening in the world, you would despair and wonder if we are going backwards or forwards. As the witnesses probably know, I have been raising the issue of Sudan in the Dáil for quite some time. I have been asking parliamentary questions and having discussions and debates with the Tánaiste and others on the issue. It is absolutely appalling. I am not sure what the answer is. It does not seem to be getting any better and there does not seem to be any sign of a resolution. I note from Mr. Gaffey's comments that outside actors are involved in providing military aid, weaponry and so on to both sides of the conflict, which is adding to it. The humanitarian distress is obviously awful. As Mr. Gaffey has said, 25.6 million are hungry and 12.7 million are displaced.

I note that there are 1,600 Sudanese medical doctors in Ireland. Will the witnesses comment on the Sudanese community in Ireland and how they and their families are impacted by this? It must be terrible for them to see what is going on. I understand cholera and other diseases are breaking out and having a very significant impact. In our worst nightmares, we cannot visualise what is happening.

We have mentioned Gaza and Ukraine. They are in the news all of the time. I do not want to compare conflicts because they are all awful but why has international media has not taken more notice of this conflict, which is particularly gruesome and shocking in every aspect?

Why have the international media not taken more notice of it? Why is it not on our television screens every night as the first or second item?

What is the impact on neighbouring countries? I note Mr. Gaffey said some 2 million people have been displaced to neighbouring jurisdictions. Some of those other countries were already impacted by refugees and displaced persons. In Sudan itself, 10.7 million people have been displaced and South Sudan is impacted. Sudan was one of the poorest countries in the world before this started.

How many Irish citizens are still in Sudan and how are they faring? There has been talk of sanctions. A small number of people have been sanctioned but I am not sure what impact that is having or whether more could be done in that respect. Is there anything else the Government could do to draw attention to this awful conflict and have a ceasefire declared? The Jeddah conference or process did not yield anything positive. The Janjaweed are still there and are at the root of all this.

Why did the two generals fall out? Mr. Gaffey may not know the answer to that question. They overthrew a democratically elected government and then fell out and started a war between themselves. The Rapid Support Forces were to be integrated into the Sudanese Armed Forces. Is it just a major power struggle at the root of all this or is there some other reason we do not know about for this awful bloody conflict? I have heard genocide being mentioned. Crimes against humanity are occurring. The torture and, in particular, the sexual violence against women and girls are absolutely heartbreaking.

I do not want to move away from marking the anniversary of Irish Aid and what a positive force it is globally. Ireland is punching way above its weight. At the same time, we can see what is going on in many parts of the world. There are many other conflicts. I read recently there are 76 serious conflicts taking place in various places around the globe that are not getting any mention. We can think of what is happening in Bangladesh with the refugees there and in various other places around the globe. We think too of Central and South America and what is happening in Haiti. It goes on and on. One wonders where the world is heading to at all. Those are my questions and comments.