Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The first thing to say is that we will at least match the level of humanitarian aid to Sudan this year that we provided last year. We have already provided €7.7 million this year. We provided €14 million last year and we will at least match the €14 million this year. That is an additional commitment from the Government to do more with regard to help for the most appalling humanitarian situation.

We have also, through my own Department, provided financial support to Irish journalists to travel to Chad and report on the desperate situation in the refugee camps. A view we would all share is that there has not been visibility with regard to this humanitarian crisis in the same way as there rightly has been with regard to others. It is important that we continue to keep visibility on this situation too. The Taoiseach will continue to raise this at the European Council. I will continue to raise it at the Foreign Affairs Council and the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, at the GAC.

On USAID, I do not have a specific note with regard to Sudan but there is no doubt in my mind that the USAID cuts are going to have desperate effects everywhere. I do not believe Sudan will be spared the impact.

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