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

I welcome Dr. Pierret and thank him for his contribution. He has outlined a picture that is remarkably difficult, complex and horrendous for Syria and the neighbouring regions. I understand there have been more than 140,000 fatalities, over 9 million people within Syria are in need of immediate life-saving support and 2.6 million Syrian refugees require assistance in neighbouring countries. That is a stark picture of suffering for so many individuals.

The second international humanitarian pledging conference for Syria and the broader region took place at the end of January. Initially the international community had been slow and reluctant to act. Unfortunately, they did not react and provide the assistance needed. Is Dr. Pierret aware of whether the humanitarian aid pledges made in recent times have been honoured or improved upon? I realise it is not Dr. Pierret's particular area but he may be familiar with it.

The United Nations Security Council resolution No. 2139 had laudable and necessary objectives. However, at the end of March the United Nations Secretary General reported limited progress in respect of the issues that the UN was mandated to pursue. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated in the meantime. Has a robust assessment been carried out by the United Nations of the implementation of resolution No. 2139? Has any urgency been shown in implementing the action plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons? Dr. Pierret has laid particular emphasis on the difficulty with regard to establishing a transitional governing body. If that issue could be progressed or if some progress could be made, does Dr. Pierret envisage any chance of the Geneva II conference being revived?