David Norris (Independent)
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I might first make a quick comment. I thank the Tánaiste for his clear and decisive statement. He left no doubt in my mind that the Syrian Government was clearly responsible. Analysis of the kinds of weapons used for the delivery, and the kind of gas and the quantities make it fairly clear as well as the directional flow of the instruments. I am reassured by the strength of his statement, for which I thank him.

Does the Tánaiste agree that we in the West were somewhat late in responding? A very good article in The New York Times by Yassin al-Haj Saleh has been circulated to us. It states it is not a civil war because the government side is murdering its own citizens. They have asked for no-flight zones and humanitarian corridors, but got no support. In 2011, some 5,000 Syrians were killed. Now it is 5,000 a month. So the situation is getting progressively more serious.

I have always welcomed the International Criminal Court, which was a splendid development. It is weakened by the absence of some signatories, but some people are apparently bound by international law even though they may not be signatories if violations are of sufficient seriousness. This may possibly be one of them, although I am not a legal expert. What is the possibility of ever getting someone such as President Assad to the International Criminal Court? That would be a major triumph not just for Syria but for every other country ruled by a rotten dictator or person who turns into a rotten dictator.

I am pleased that the Government is continuing to make an historic contribution. I am glad to see that it is twice the amount the Seanad costs per annum. It shows that the Government is using some of its money wisely.

I strongly support the implementation of the historic agreement and our involvement in it. We have, for example, played a significant role in the work on cluster bombs. Will the Tánaiste quantify what financial, resource and other aid will be contributed?