Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)

I am grateful for the opportunity to add my voice on this situation and that my comments will be on the record of the House. There are new lows happening every day in the Homs area of Syria, where it is now being reported that local hospitals are unable or unwilling to provide blood transfusions to patients in dire need because the medical blood banks in Syria come under the aegis of its Department of Justice. I ask the Tánaiste to bring his weight to bear in order that this situation be rectified. I do not believe I have heard anything as low as this in my time. Anecdotally, we hear that some members of staff seem to be taking part in this, which is abominable.

See this speech in context