Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

Like Deputy Ó Feargháil, I too had the opportunity as a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade to visit Ethiopia and to see at first hand the first flood of refugees to the United Nations established Tongo refugee camp and the generosity of the Ethiopian state to the Somalians who are in great devastation. Drought has become famine because of political instability in Sudan and Somalia. It is interesting to note that Ethiopia would also be enduring drought conditions but for the assistance of Irish and international NGOs and donor states, which illustrates the impact of proper political management. There should be no famine in the year 2012. There can be no excuse for famine in the world in which we live today.

I again commend the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Irish Aid on the work they do in this area. It is clear the reputation of Ireland, a small state of 4.5 million people, is immense in those areas. The duration of our reception by the Ethiopian Prime Minister is a reflection of their respect for us. We need to use that reputation in our continued efforts to influence more powerful states to play a similar role. I commend the Government, the Department and Irish Aid on the work they are doing and encourage them to keep it going.

See this speech in context