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

I apologise for being late, as I was delayed due to weather conditions on the roads in my part of the country. I welcome Mrs. Bensouda's contribution. Obviously the work of the court is of extreme importance. I understand there are 122 states parties following the Rome Statute. Has that number being increasing incrementally over the years or has it been fairly static? Are new member states joining? On referral, a state can refer a case to the International Criminal Court, and Mrs. Bensouda also mentioned the United Nations in this context. Do other international organisations have the capacity to refer a case to the ICC? Some time ago, people were advocating that the Assad regime should be brought before the ICC. Have there been moves in that regard? It is highly topical at present due to the deteriorating and frightening humanitarian position in Syria, as well as in the adjoining regions, due to the influx of refugees to those small countries that are doing their very best in difficult circumstances to try to ease the humanitarian situation. However, I welcome Mrs. Bensouda's contribution and the importance of the work. In conclusion, who polices the enforcement of judgments? Is it the member state in which the person resides? What method is available to police the enforcement of such judgments?