Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade

Situation in Syria and the Philippines: Discussion with UNICEF Ireland

2:45 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I thank Mr. Power for that graphic account of his visit to the Philippines and for updating us on the current situation in Syria. Some committee members visited the Za'atari refugee camp last June to see it at first hand. The camp has grown from 15,000 people to 120,000 people. Jordan is now closing its borders to some refugees, putting more pressure on the camps and the situation in Syria. We will keep the issue at the top of our agenda. I commend the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on its funding for Syria and the €3 million that it has donated via NGOs to help the Philippine crisis.

Mr. Power referred to the $30 million shortfall in UNICEF's work in the Philippines. How should that shortfall be funded? Are donor countries giving more or less money than they should in terms of their respective GDPs? Ireland's €3 million is a great contribution, given our size. China has only contributed €1 million or €1.5 million. After Mr. Power replies, I will hand over to Deputy Smith.