Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I listened to some commentary around COP30, where people talked about needing to consolidate the actions now rather than looking to set new targets or develop new measures. Does that apply, given the challenges SDGs have, particularly in the environmental sector? Is the Department looking at consolidating what is going on and projects that are currently under way?

Gaza was mentioned. Thousands of tonnes of food aid is waiting to go in to those in Gaza but Israel is continuing with the genocide and the blockade. I know it is very challenging, but what is the Government, along with the EU, doing to ensure the tonnes of food in those warehouses get into Gaza? People are talking about a ceasefire. There has been a reduction in people being killed, although not completely. In my opinion, there is no ceasefire. People are still being killed but the Israelis will not allow heavy machinery in to help with the recovery of the dead in Gaza. In my view, there is no ceasefire, but what is the Government doing to get that food into Gaza?

Sudan is a huge concern as well. I heard some commentary on people who talk about Palestine, which stated they never talk about Sudan. Having spoken to a Sudanese individual recently, the Sudanese do not want it suggested that because people are talking about Palestine, they have no interest in or concerns for Sudan. It is hugely concerning to everybody. It is a different type of dispute, in many ways. In Sudan, there is not a David and Goliath conflict. It is very different, but the horror that is happening there needs to be addressed.

My questions are about consolidation and getting that food out of the warehouses.