Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Al Habib. It is an opportunity for him to keep us all focused on this very serious international crisis. I welcome the visitors to the Public Gallery who have certainly been playing their part in keeping this crisis at the forefront of our thoughts. We have had ongoing discussions in this committee. I am very impressed with the figures given by Mr. Al Habib about the amazing amount of rescues the Syrian Civil Defence has conducted with a relatively small number of volunteers. Are there any other civil defence organisations working on the ground alongside the Syrian Civil Defence to rescue people who are injured and seriously incapacitated? In light of the years of conflict, what are the facilities at the hospitals and treatment centres like once the Syrian Civil Defence has rescued people? Is the Syrian Civil Defence involved in assisting relief agencies trying to get supplies and relief to many people who are seriously discommoded as a result of the bombing? I know that relief agencies have been having serious difficulties in getting relief to the most needy.

We had discussions here some time ago about a peace charter. What is the status of this in Syria? Is there support for it or is there much active consideration among ordinary Syrians as to what final solution they would like to see? Is the peace charter which was presented to us some time ago being actively pursued?

Does Mr. Al Habib see any possibility that the crisis that is evolving in Europe, in respect of the number of refugees coming here, may put political pressure on or force EU countries to take a more active role in trying to broker a solution to the crisis in Syria? What would be Mr. Al Habib's one big request to this committee and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to help resolve the appalling situation in his country? I know that the involvement of so many other stakeholders such as Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Russia complicates the situation. It is hard to see where a solution will come from in the short term. What would Mr. Al Habib like the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to do, both in Europe and internationally?