Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland has taken a consistent position on the issue of sending arms to Syria, which is that we do not want to see the further militarisation of the conflict in Syria. We were keen for the European Union to renew its arms embargo on Syria and I had hoped this would happen, but it was not possible to get agreement. The supply of arms to Syria is often portrayed as arming the opposition or elements of the opposition, but we need to recall that the Assad regime is being supplied with arms and when we say there should not be a supply of arms, we also mean that those supplying arms to the Syrian state and providing the means by which the conflict can continue need to stop also.

It will not be easy to get people around the table. There are complex issues involved, some of which, for example, relate to the situation on the ground and the perception of those who are party to the conflict of how well they are doing and when they will be in the best position to have the strongest voice. There is then the issue of participation by those of who are opposed to the regime and their willingness to take part in discussions which will involve a regime they want to have removed and replaced. All of this complicates the issue, but, at the end of the day, a political path has to be discussed, negotiated and worked through. Ultimately, the only way this issue will be resolved is through a political process and talks. The Geneva II peace conference is the only process being talked about; therefore, it is the one that we have to deal with.

The Deputy asked how realistic it would be to secure humanitarian access, given that thousands of militants were involved. A ceasefire was secured to facilitate the weapons inspectors; therefore, it ought to be possible to secure a ceasefire to deliver humanitarian aid and medical supplies to attend to people who have been injured or wounded. That needs to be the next phase of what needs to be done immediately.