Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputies for their comments. Members of the select committee may be interested to know that next Monday I will travel to visit our troops in southern Lebanon. I will also be visiting some other countries in the region, including Jordan. At the moment, we anticipate going to Jordan to look at the impact of the refugee crisis as a result of the Syrian conflict. The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council is assisting with funding from Europe to countries that are taking care of Syrian refugees. It is expected that the position of the refugees will be discussed at the Council meeting to be held on 5 and 6 December. I am hoping to get an update both in Lebanon and Jordan on the impact of the crisis. An estimated 750,000 documented refugees from Syria are currently in the Lebanon. The number could possibly be higher because some may not be documented. Approximately 550,000 Syrian refugees are currently in Jordan.