Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The tragedy unfolding before our eyes in Syria has claimed over 70,000 lives over the past two years, although I understand that is a conservative estimate of the terrible loss of life. The country has been consumed by a civil war that has caused a major humanitarian crisis in the region. The war has also served as a proxy battle between various states and factions in the Middle East. The announcement today by Hizbollah confirming its role in the conflict underlines the broad nature of this conflagration. More disturbing is the evidence that points to the use of chemical weapons in the country. President Obama has stated that chemical weapons have been used but that no chain of custody has been established. The United States of America has committed to reviewing its approach if it is clear that chemical weapons have been deployed and the hostile parties involved are identified. It is most likely option is the selective arming of rebel groups in the war against the Assad regime if it is proven to have deployed chemical weapons.

Observers fear that as the war intensifies, the Assad regime will fall back on using chemical weapons as it runs out of other options. Alternatively, disparate rebel groups will acquire the weaponry which is dispersed across the country and use it as part of their arsenal. The presence of chemical weapons in a country tearing itself apart is a ticking time bomb. The humanitarian crisis will be on an even more unprecedented scale. The Syrian National Coalition, the umbrella opposition group that has been recognised by the West, has called on the UN Security Council to allow its inspectors in Cyprus to enter Syria to search for chemical weapons. In a statement, the opposition said: "We have confirmed reports from a number of countries in the world that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons on a limited scale, but it is seriously preparing for repeat use on a large scale, and the world must act before a major disaster occurs, not afterwards.”

The escalation of the threat begs the question as to what actions the EU will take in dealing with this crisis. Humanitarian assistance is one aspect but the prevention of the outbreak of chemical warfare must be of paramount importance. What actions will the Government support if there has been proven use of chemical weapons in Syria? What unity of purpose is there in the European Union to work alongside other international groups, such as other major powers and the United Nations, to give this major crisis the urgency and attention it deserves and to try to resolve this conflict, which is an unimaginable humanitarian disaster unfolding before us every hour of every day. Sadly, the work of the United Nations to date has been most disappointing.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I thank Deputy Smith for raising this important issue.

The European Union has repeatedly called on the Syrian authorities never to use its chemical weapons and to store them securely, pending destruction under independent verification. Ireland has made the same calls. Recent information which suggests that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria is of the utmost concern to us all. Any use of chemical weapons would have an appalling humanitarian impact, is clearly contrary to international legal norms and must be utterly condemned.

Information that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria first came to light last December. Additional allegations were made in March. On 20 March, the Syrian authorities formally requested the UN Secretary General to undertake an investigation into the allegations that chemical weapons were used in Khan AI-Assal, near Aleppo, on 19 March. Opposition forces denied that they had conducted these attacks and also alleged that the Syrian authorities had used chemical weapons in additional attacks in the suburbs of Damascus on the same day.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has agreed to undertake the investigation, with the support of the World Health Organization and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In agreeing to undertake the investigation, the Secretary General stated that it must have unfettered access. He has also said that all serious claims that chemical weapons have been used should be examined without delay, without conditions and without exception.

The EU has written to the Secretary General to insist on a comprehensive investigation. The investigation team, led by Dr. Ake Sellstrom, has been established and is ready to travel to Syria at short notice. It is a matter of deep regret that the Syrian authorities have not yet agreed to the UN investigation team being given full and unfettered access. At the recent review conference of the chemical weapons convention, which took place only last month, the EU again expressed its grave concern at the allegations and again called on the Syrian authorities to permit the investigation to begin without delay. The 188 states which are party to the convention agreed that "the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances would be reprehensible and completely contrary to the legal norms and standards of the international community". While Syria is one of only eight states which is not party to the chemical weapons convention, it must not ignore this clear statement of principle made by the global community.

We have seen in recent days increasing indications that there is evidence to support the claims that chemical weapons, specifically the nerve agent sarin, have been used in Syria. These indications make it all the more urgent that the UN Secretary General be allowed to undertake his investigation without delay. The EU fully supports the UN Secretary General's efforts and stands ready to offer whatever support it can to him. Future steps which the EU may take must be on the basis of evidence.

I also wish to note that the EU is collectively the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to support the people of Syria, having committed over €600 million to date. This includes the €8.15 million that Ireland has contributed nationally, mainly through UN agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC.

Deputy Smith will be aware that last August I visited the Za'atri refugee camp, which was the first major camp established in Jordan to deal with the refugees and displaced persons from Syria. At that time I met the representatives of United Nations agencies, including UNICEF as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and discussed the issue of refugee status and the difficulties that they were experiencing as a result of the terrible conflict that is continuing in Syria.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply and welcome his ongoing efforts and those of the Tánaiste to keep this issue on the agenda at EU level. Indeed, it is not long since myself and the Acting Chairman, Deputy Ann Phelan, raised this matter in a previous topical issues debate. It is an extremely difficult situation.

Last Wednesday, a former Member of this House, Barry Andrews, now CEO of Goal, addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. He pointed out that after little more than two years of conflict, the most conservative estimates are that 70,000 people have been killed, 6.8 million people are in need of aid, 4.25 million people are internally displaced and 1.3 million are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. It is estimated that half of the 6.8 million people in need of aid are children. He went on to say that it beggars belief that the world has allowed this tragedy to unfold and is still doing so little to halt it. He referred to a report in the New York Times last month indicating that less than 20% of the money promised by governments to the relief effort in Syria has thus far been delivered, which is nothing short of disgraceful. In that context, I appreciate what the Minister of State has done on behalf of the Irish taxpayer.

In conclusion, along with other members of the aforementioned committee, I received a briefing from Oxfam on this issue. The introduction states: "It will not be over until the great powers of the region and of the world unite to press all sides for peace. The world's failure to do so over two bloody years is now shockingly compounded by the failure to provide sufficient funding soon enough for the humanitarian response."

The statement from Oxfam continues:

But by and large the world has sat back and watched Syria's conflict and humanitarian crisis escalate out of all proportion to what could have been expected two years ago. Now is the time to escalate the humanitarian response.

I appeal to the Minister of State, along with the Tánaiste and every other Government representative with the opportunity, to ensure this is top of the agenda in discussions in all international relations. It is not widely enough known that this is the humanitarian crisis of our generation. We should do anything we can to urge action by international powers such as the United Nations. Regrettably, many of these major powers have stood back and not played the part they need to. I urge the Minister of State, his colleague, the Tánaiste, and other Government Members to keep this high on the agenda in all fora where they have a chance to contribute.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I know the Acting Chairman has an interest in the issue and she has raised it before. I take on board everything said by the Deputy about this significant tragedy. He mentioned a figure of 70,000 and the number has certainly risen, with probably 100,000 killed in the conflict at this point. The number of displaced persons is enormous, at 6.8 million, and surrounding countries have huge refugee camps. The UN Security Council is unable to formulate an agreed resolution because of different interests, which is an unsatisfactory response to the tragedy from the perspective of the global community.

There are allegations of chemical weapons being used by both sides, with an allegation that opposition groupings have used them in Aleppo and that the Syrian Government has used chemical weapons in Damascus. We do not have the hard evidence that would allow the United Nations or European Union to make a final decision. Undoubtedly, the use of chemical weapons crosses a line already mentioned by the international community and it could well be the game changer with regard to involvement. At this time there is no hard evidence and until the investigation team established by the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, is allowed access to verify the use or otherwise of such weapons, we will not be in a position to make a firm decision on what action can be taken.

I assure the Deputy that at every opportunity we will focus on the issue as much as possible. I may very well be returning to that theatre before too long and I know the Tánaiste has raised it at every opportunity in the European Union. We raise it on a regular basis wherever there is the likelihood of an impact being made in getting a solution. I thank the Deputy for tabling the issue and we will keep it under close examination.