Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the fact that Ireland has provided almost €11 million in aid. Is the Minister of State satisfied that such humanitarian aid is getting to the most distressed and needy because we are aware earlier this year of the Assad regime placing obstacles in the way of aid being provided to those he termed to be in the opposition groups?

I take the opportunity to compliment the Irish non-governmental organisations and their sister organisations for their outstanding work in extremely difficult circumstances. As I asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, earlier, would the Minister of State outline whether there is an effort at European Union level to co-ordinate a response in regard to assisting refugees? It is my understanding that the challenges are becoming increasingly serious in the neighbouring areas where refugees have gone from Syria, with diseases, security hazards in the camps and scarcity of food and basic services, and there is real pressure on those adjoining countries which are doing their best to assist those 2.5 million refugees who have arrived in their lands already.

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