Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Tánaiste for his presentation and, as the Chairman said, the figures he quoted on a country where almost one third of the population is displaced internally, and a sizeable cohort externally, are horrific. I welcome the fact that Irish Aid continues to be a major contributor on a per capita basis. It is very important that the European Union is also a contributor. Has there been any improvement in access and getting aid to people? There were allegations earlier that the regime was directing aid towards its own people.

The last time the Tánaiste spoke on Question Time he said the Geneva II talks were expected to get under way in late autumn. What is the thinking at European Union level and who are the proposed participants in the Geneva II talks? The last communiqué from the Foreign Affairs Council called for the Security Council to refer the Syrian conflict to the International Criminal Court. Has there been any movement on that? Has the European Union conveyed its serious concerns that the Security Council has been totally ineffective once again in trying to deal with this very protracted issue?

On the last day of Question Time, I used the word "barbarity" with regard to what was happening. I do not know what word one could use today that would be stronger than that to indicate the horrors of this civil war. I recently read that there has been a tenfold increase in refugees on this time last year. If that is correct, it shows the extent of the difficulties confronting so many people.

I compliment the Irish non-governmental organisations, NGOs, and their sister organisations which are working in Syria and the broader region to try to assist people in very difficult circumstances. Can the Tánaiste assure us he will continue to push for a political, peaceful settlement and highlight the need for the international community to increase its humanitarian aid? We accept that Europe has been one of the better contributors, but Europe must use whatever fora are available to it to highlight to the international community its obligation to assist in this horrific scene for Syria and the difficulties of the adjoining countries as well.