Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentation. Ms O'Mahony stated: "If the current situation continues, we are facing a regional collapse with global consequences." In regard to her recommendations, the Geneva talks opened up the possibility of resolving the issue, but it is difficult to see how that structure could deal with the issues arising, given that it involves Islamic terrorists who have no intention of stopping their advances and terrorism and who will probably export their activities abroad. On who created this mess, we have to point the finger at the United States and the British for invading Iraq without an exit plan or considering the possible consequences. Unfortunately, even the citizens of these countries are paying the price. They appear to have stepped back and are trying to pursue a proxy war, but I cannot see how it can succeed. We need to look for better leadership, but, unfortunately, there is no sign of this. We will probably have to wait several years before there is a new administration in the United States and it is far from certain that it will be better at dealing with these issues.

I ask Ms O'Mahony for an insight into the atrocities that are taking place, some of which she identified in her submission. In the past couple of years I visited Lebanon and Jordan with other members. We visited some of the refugee camps, including, in particular, those located near the Syrian border in Lebanon. Ms O'Mahony's point about the destabilisation of Lebanon is well made. Both Lebanon and Jordan are in a vulnerable position. In the Zaatari camp we met women who were being forced into prostitution because of a lack of law and order. Security was left to the refugees to provide. When we inquired whether there were Christians in the camp, the UN personnel told us that there were but that they had to pretend to be Muslim because their lives would be at risk if certain elements within the camp discovered that they were Christian. I presume that continues to be the case. We have heard a lot about the beheadings, but I am also hearing from other groups that crucifixion has become a common practice among terrorists in Iraq and Syria. Women, in particular, are paying a huge price and it is difficult to see how the issue can be resolved. I am not advocating this, but I can only see it being resolved if the two parties which created the environment in which this mess happened decide to go back to remove the terrorists in the area. There does not appear to be any indication that such an approach might be taken. I ask Ms O'Mahony to disagree with me if she thinks I am misreading the situation or I am being overly alarmist.