She said: "We have all watched with horror the severe injuries being inflicted on the children in Gaza and the chronic lack of medical supplies and personnel to treat them. So, this progress on enabling some of these children to come to Northern Ireland to avail of healthcare is very much welcomed. 

"It is right and proper that we all show respect for humanity in such times and reach out across international borders to offer this emergency healthcare. It is the very least we can do in such horrendous circumstances."