Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Andrews and Mr. Glasgow for coming before the committee and giving us the benefit of their observations and knowledge of the subject. We discussed this on numerous occasions. The problem lies in how the international community can intervene in what is essentially an internal conflict. Regime change has become a sensitive issue worldwide since the war in Iraq for obvious reasons. One does not know how best to address the situation other than to do the best one can in dealing with refugees coming out of the area because I cannot see what else can happen inside.

I am not so sure whether there is still a possibility of getting a peacekeeping arrangement through the UN. During the war in Bosnia, the UN was very lightly armed in comparison to the protagonists and as a result, did not really fulfil its mission to the extent that it should have. Is there any scope for the EU to establish safe havens inside Syria? I know that did not work in Bosnia but it worked all right up to the time it failed. That is a possibility. Is it in any way feasible? In respect of donor country commitments, does the 20% of aid delivered and the lack of donor delivery extend across the board? Does it affect other locations in a similar way or does it just relate to the particular situation in Syria?