Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What a complex crisis it is. We extend our sympathy to the people of Syria who have suffered. They are heading into the winter months and have gone from having a very sophisticated wealthy middle class society to what it is today.

I am concerned about several issues. While I accept and applaud Dr. Hashemi's outline of how Ireland can play a role in finding a solution, it is startling to hear that 50% of ISIL fighters are not Syrian. It is also frightening to think British, as well as two French, people have been connected with the beheading of aid workers. Dr. Hashemi has explained that he believes the chaos, dictatorship and horrible leadership in Syria and Iraq bred this sandstorm and volcano. One can accept this, but what is the attraction for the 50% of fighters who do not come from this culture? That is a big concern. I do not want to be simplistic, but it seems there must be a religious motivation for people to leave Ireland, England and France as Muslims to fight exclusively with ISIL.

Dr. Hashemi has requested our support for the weak democratic forces, but I have read in the newspapers that last week ISIL defeated what was to be a stronghold of these democratic fighters. There is the power of Russia and its influence, as well as of China to some degree. In particular, does Dr. Hashemi agreed that unless the two major Islamic states and key players of Saudi Arabia and Iran are forced into some compromise, the region will always be destabilised? People from Tehran who have come before the committee state things are wonderful in all of these kingdoms. People from Morocco who have come before the committee state all of these kingdoms are fundamentally undemocratic. One can sense the tension in Iran in the case of Shia Muslims and see the response given by Sunni leaders. Are the key players, Saudi Arabia and Iran, working together? Will Dr. Hashemi explain why 50% of the fighters come from countries outside Syria and Iraq?