Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for all those questions. This is an incredible disaster. The United Nations has deemed it to be the largest ever humanitarian disaster in which it has been involved. One third of the population is either displaced within Syria or refugees. That indicates the extent of it.

The estimate of €5.2 billion required in 2013 alone is colossal. On naming and shaming those countries which have made pledges, it is a question of exhorting all those which have not as yet delivered to pay up. Ireland always honours its pledge and will continue to do so. This is recognised internationally. We hope progress will be made as a result of the announcement of the initiative on chemical weapons at the Geneva II talks and that an accommodation may be agreed in order that the humanitarian organisations can take control of the situation. I will be visiting Lebanon and the Middle East next week. Ireland has always endeavoured to keep abreast of the situation on the ground and I intend to do so this week.

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