Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Our concern and our stern words have not altered the fact that millions of Yemenis are in danger of death by starvation. The Minister's response which refers to poor humanitarian access and the collapse of the economy due to conflict ignores the fact that these are not accidental by-products. Famine is not a side effect but a deliberate tactic by Saudi Arabia. This is an orchestrated situation. We know, from evidence given, that Yemen's geography is such that to destroy its farmland is something that one must go out of one's way to do. It does not happen by accident. The fact that hundreds of Yemeni fishing boats have been shot to pieces by machine gun fire from Saudi helicopters is not a coincidence. It has to be organised. The blockade of Hudaydah was calculated and organised because it is the only port in Yemen capable of bringing in food supplies from abroad through the overseas humanitarian aid programme. The aid programme was deliberately obstructed by the Saudi bombardment in the area.

It is time to do a lot more than just utter stern words and talk about negotiations. Much more is needed when this deliberate tactic is leading and contributing to people's deaths.

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