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

I thank Mr. Andrews for his presentation. What he has outlined to the committee is both chilling and frightening. The figures in the formal presentation include 70,000 killed, 6.8 million in need of aid, 4.25 million internally displaced persons and 1.3 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Of the 6.8 million people in need, Mr. Andrews mentioned that more than 50% are children. I read the Save the Children charity's report which graphically outlined the wholesale maiming, torture and murdering of children.

As Mr. Andrews said, we raised this matter no later than last Wednesday when the Tánaiste was here to present a report on meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. We highlighted the need for this matter to be raised at every opportunity by the Government and the Tánaiste told us he has been doing so. The issue was also raised at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday. A number of us have been raising the topic by way of parliamentary questions in the Dáil and at this committee. We will be glad to continue doing so.

I know that Mr. Andrews does not wish to enter into the political realm. However, has the fact that there is not a unified voice regarding the partial lifting of the arms embargo weakened the EU's role in trying to put pressure on the international community for a unified platform? Mr. Andrews said the UN cannot find its voice on this humanitarian catastrophe, which sums up everything. In effect, Russia has had a veto on the potential of the UN to make some progress.

Another issue has also been brought to our attention. It concerns allegations that humanitarian aid was being diverted to supporters of the Assad regime and so was not reaching those most in need. I tabled a parliamentary question on this matter. In his reply, the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, said it was acknowledged that many people still remain beyond reach, particularly in the most insecure areas in the north of the country.

From my memory, the Tánaiste indicated some progress was being made to get a better spread of humanitarian aid to the people most in need. Can Mr. Andrews indicate if any progress is being made incrementally in reaching other regions that have had no humanitarian assistance to date, and in the broader region outside Syria as well?