Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I do not want our discussion on Sudan to become an attack on Israel. Before we conclude, I will be inviting our guests, in particular Ms Walsh, to speak to us briefly on the current situation in Lebanon. That will address the issue raised by Deputy Cronin. Regarding the point the Deputy has made, if it is applicable to Sudan, I will ask our panel to respond to it. We can leave the Middle East to the point before we conclude.

I am very keen, on the matter of this special meeting, that we agree a set of conclusions. We have recommendations from Ms Mckenna in this context. It is quite right to point out that we do not have the official transcripts of the submissions made by Ms de Barra, Mr. Regan or Ms Walsh but we will have them by this evening. I would be keen to make contact with the office of the Tánaiste. He is due here at this committee before the expiry of our mandate. It is important that we would be in a position to support him in his endeavours.

We have seen Ireland's response to the crisis through the international humanitarian conference for Sudan in Paris in April and the fact that we have gone further than just making a contribution by supporting a form of flexible funding. We know that in our diplomatic engagements, the Tánaiste has consistently emphasised the need to protect civilians, maintain humanitarian access, stop the fighting and to put civilians at the centre of the political future of Sudan.

At the same time, we see weaknesses. I may have missed something but I am unsure of the status of the fact-finding mission, whether it has a future or how can it be rebooted.