Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The fact that he has been to Darfur gives him a particular insight into this area.

The reason for my question is the recent reports of attempts being made to take 103 African children, so-called orphans, out of Chad, to be either fostered or perhaps adopted. It is a cause for concern that these children referred to belonging to a family. A total of 91 children referred to at least one parent in the family. The group consisted of 21 girls and 81 boys between the ages of one and ten. When the situation of child sex abuse and paedophilia is taken into account, this must be a matter of great concern.

I presume the Minister of State will reassure the House that with the Irish involvement in MINURCAT and the fact that the commanding officer is Irish, this area will be given a strong focus.

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