Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator O'Reilly. I revert to our distinguished panel. In doing so, I remind them Senator O'Reilly is not only a distinguished former deputy speaker of the Upper House, the Seanad, but he is currently actively engaged in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, a body with a strong human rights dimension which has an impact on Africa and life and governance across Africa. I am pleased Senator O'Reilly is with us. He mentioned five specific areas that I will ask for a brief response on, as I am keen to bring in Deputies Cronin and Stanton. The five issues are agriculture, with particular reference to successful projects and programmes that Ireland has been associated with in terms of agricultural technology through our national research and development organisation, Teagasc, and leadership in particular under Professor Gerry Boyle and the African links and perhaps what more might be done in that area to assist people to assist themselves. The second issue was Gaza and the future of the Palestinian territories, which was directed towards His Excellency, Mr. Selim. The Senator had a general question on migration, followed by specific questions to the ambassadors for Sudan and South Africa regarding the protection of civilians and current power supply issues in South Africa, respectively. I invite His Excellency, Mr. Selim to commence the replies.