Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for his comprehensive report on the Council meetings.

On the situation in Gaza, he correctly stated that it was the major issue, along with other important issues, before the Council and we hope that a ceasefire can be secured. I presume the Council sent a full message of support to the Egyptian President and others who have been working to achieve a ceasefire.

It is also necessary to make very clear to the Israeli Prime Minister, the Egyptian President, the Arab League and the UN Secretary General that a complete halt to rocket attacks and the cessation of all military strikes is absolutely essential. Was a commitment given by the Council to provide humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip to assist civilians who have unfortunately been badly injured? We are also conscious of the significant loss of life. I understand there is a problem with medical supplies and understandably hospitals are overstretched due to the serious violence which has erupted.

The Council welcomed the formation of a new unified front of the Syrian opposition. Previously in correspondence the Tánaiste called for a comprehensive arms embargo. France indicated through media reports that it had called for defensive arms to be allowed to the Syrian opposition. The terminology used in some of the French media, according to correspondence I received from particular interest groups, referred to the French Government asking that defensive weapons be excluded from the arms embargo to help rebels fight President Assad's regime. There was commentary in the British media that Mr. Hague has also made comments to this effect. If the Council welcomed the formation of the new unified front, did discussions take place on what practical support would be given to such an opposition group? Did the Council address reports of a growing radical Islamic militant element in the opposition? Has this impacted on the stance taken today by the Council?