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

I thank the Tánaiste for his very detailed report on the meetings of the FAC. I commend him too on his ongoing efforts in regard to the immigration reform legislation which we have discussed at question time in the Dáil and at the committee. It is very important to many families throughout our island.

In my limited time as a member of this committee the list of conflict areas seems to have grown. The Tánaiste's report on meetings over the past three months indicates that. Unfortunately, the intensity of conflict grows too. My colleagues will take up issues relating to other areas but with regard to Ukraine I understand that hundreds of people have lost their lives over the past two months. Decisions were made at the weekend when President Putin cancelled the ruling that allowed Russian soldiers cross the border. The separatist leaders agreed to a ceasefire proposed by Kiev. That ceasefire was agreed on Monday evening.

Unfortunately, a Ukrainian helicopter was shot down on Tuesday evening, resulting in the loss of nine lives. In that context, further questions now arise in regard to the possibility of ending the conflict.

With regard to the Council meeting on Monday, I understand President Putin spoke by telephone to the authorities in the United States, Germany and France. Did the Tánaiste detect among the Germans and French any sense of confidence regarding the making of progress on ending the conflict? There were indications that the European Union and United States would move on the basis of a common sanctions option. It was indicated that those sanctions might be announced at the Council meeting at the end of this week. Is that likely to happen? Is the Union moving away from the idea of imposing more sanctions on Russia that would reduce the amount of commerce and business between both blocs? Has the imposition of sanctions by the United States and European Union on entities and individuals been effective in any way?

With regard to Palestine and Israel, I welcome the fact that the Tánaiste has condemned very strongly the abduction of three young Israelis in the occupied territories. It is a desperate deed. The Tánaiste referred in his contribution to the rapid deterioration of circumstances on the ground. I welcome his clear statement that the European Union needs to play a more active role in confronting the obstacles impeding a negotiated two-state solution. A predecessor of the Tánaiste many decades ago, Mr. Brian Lenihan, was a great advocate of the two-state solution.

With regard to the expansion of settlements, to my knowledge there has been little, if any, progress in regard to the labelling of products from the settlement areas. There are options for labelling requirements, be they imposed at EU level or within our own national competence. Some commentators and advocates, particularly the non-governmental organisations, welcome the labelling requirements that have been imposed by the British and Dutch. This affects not only products coming from the settlement areas but the general business and commerce between the settlement areas and their own countries. Is the Government supporting the Tánaiste on expanding or following the British and Dutch model of sanctioning? Is there EU-wide agreement to the imposition of such sanctions at EU level?

Once again, unfortunately, there have been mass killings over the past few weeks in Iraq. There has been considerable loss of life and hardship imposed on so many people. I understand the militant extremists extended their control to the country's entire western frontier. Is it accurate to suggest that most of the official border crossings with Syria - there is only one to Jordan - have been secured by the militants? If so, I presume it ties in with their stated intention of creating a new independent state in the region. If this is the case, it is a further worrying and dangerous development.

With regard to South Sudan, some Irish non-governmental organisations made a presentation here recently on the desperate humanitarian situation in the region. There has been considerable loss of life in the conflict which erupted in December 2013. I believe 1.4 million people have been displaced, and 5 million people are in urgent need of assistance. I believe 5 million is nearly 50% of the entire population. I am open to correction on that. If I am correct, it is a significant humanitarian issue that requires further attention on the part of the international community.

With regard to Syria, there is a need for the international community to step up to the plate on the commitments made to provide much-needed additional humanitarian assistance. I acknowledge that the Tánaiste has raised this consistently at EU level. Is the issue given the attention it merits by the European Union and international community? There is concern, including in respect of Syria and South Sudan, that the most needy, deprived people are still not getting any humanitarian aid. It is not reaching those areas most in need.

I thank the Tánaiste for his very detailed contribution.