Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms O'Donnell, Mr. Casey and Ms de Barra for attending. It goes without saying we in the committee very much acknowledge the good work their organisations continue to do in perhaps the most challenging parts of our world in circumstances that are becoming more difficult and more problematic by the day. We note their submission and acknowledge what they said about the demonstration of what makes bodies such as the alliance more effective. We also note their meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

We will meet the Tánaiste shortly and we will obviously meet officials from the Department in the context of the forthcoming budget and so on. We will be very keen to give favourable consideration to the points our guests have raised, with specific reference to a recommendation the Department introduce match-funding, to ensure the alliance's appeals are given appropriate strength. I was very struck by what Ms de Barra said about having an overall, clearly understood campaign involving the alliance, the public and the Government. If there is a clearer or more effective role the Government can play, we will be keen to assist in ensuring that will happen. We will meet in private to put together a report for the Government arising from this meeting, and we will be very happy to keep the alliance informed of our developments.

I thank our guests for attending and acknowledge the important work of the alliance.