Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I welcome Mr. Clarken, even though his presentation was grim. I apologise that I will have to leave the meeting early to speak in the Chamber. I was struck that the sale of UK arms licences to Saudi Arabia has exceeded €4.6 billion, yet UK aid has reached 0.7%. It is a total contradiction and incoherence. There are arm sales from the EU even though it is a major donor of aid. The easy part is giving the aid; the difficult part is facing the challenges. France and Germany have stopped selling arms, although they are probably selling arms elsewhere, but the recent announcement by the US President, Donald Trump, has not helped. There is no doubt that it has received less attention. For a period, every time one turned on the news it was about Yemen but it is becoming forgotten. I expect it to be consigned to history with other forgotten tragedies.

I attended a presentation yesterday and the previous day on access to medicines. How is Oxfam Ireland coping in that regard? There are also non-communicable diseases. Is Oxfam able to provide the medicines that are needed for them? We see people dying in conflict, through being shot, bombed or whatever, but individuals also die from illnesses which can, and should, be prevented.

Our guests might also elaborate on attacks on humanitarian workers and how difficult the situation is for them.