Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The problem is that in conflict zones claims are made and propaganda is used. Establishing the truth can be a slow process. We must establish the truth and, in the spirit of the convention, along with the EU we will seek to establish the truth of the use of cluster munitions and to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the civilian population. Some €12 million was allocated in 2008 from the UN central emergency response fund. Ireland is the seventh largest contributor to that and has contributed some €5.3 million for humanitarian needs in Sri Lanka.

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