Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Before bringing matters towards a conclusion, I will make a couple of observations. I acknowledge the importance of Mr. Gilmore's work in Colombia on behalf of the European Union, which includes ourselves in Ireland, as an active member of the Union. I acknowledge the expertise and experience he brings, having regard to his many years in domestic politics here, with particular reference to our peace process and the value that brings to the Colombian situation.

The Colombian peace process has been a priority issue for this committee over the past number of years and the past 15 months since the general election saw a change in the configuration of this committee. That notwithstanding, the Colombian peace process has been high on our agenda and we thank Mr. Gilmore for his engagement. We acknowledge the work he is doing. I also acknowledge the work here in Ireland of the Colombian ambassador, H.E. Patricia Cortés Ortiz, who keeps this committee regularly informed and updated and has made herself available, often in challenging circumstances, to deal with sensitive issues on the matter of the Colombian peace process. We wish Mr. Gilmore continued good fortune, acknowledging the challenging nature of that peace process.

Mr. Gilmore mentioned the prisoner situation in Belarus. We had the opportunity, earlier this year, to have an in-person engagement with Ms Tsikhanouskaya when she was in Ireland. We were very much impressed by her energy, work, commitment and courage. Since her visit to Ireland, we see on a daily basis that she has been actively engaged, not only throughout the European Union, but beyond. What more can be done towards the protection of human rights in Belarus?

We and the European Union have called for a new round of fresh and fair elections. It is fair to say that will not happen in the near future or the medium term. There is absolutely no inclination on the part of the Lukashenko regime to engage in any further elections. Short of calling for new elections, what does Mr. Gilmore think can best be done from his office or the European Union? We see today a fresh round of prison sentences, many of which appear to be a consequence of revenge for international engagement, rather than being grounded in any due process.

I will briefly turn to Syria, which has not been mentioned. Of concern is the fact that Syria has faded from our front pages after in excess of ten years' horrific conflict. This does not in any way mean that the human rights situation there is anything but acute and dire. With regard to the humanitarian situation in north-eastern Syria, huge numbers of people face an acute shortage of drinking water, given the low levels of the Euphrates river. We also see, for example, the situation of prisoners in Syria, for example, in one of the more notorious prisons where prison visits are reliant on the payment of extortionate sums of money by the relatives in order to gain access for a very short visit and tens of thousands of people spend many years languishing in prisons, often on pretty frivolous or groundless means. I hope that notwithstanding the fact the Syrian conflict has faded, the engagement on the part of the European Union continues. It causes me some concern to see some EU governments moving towards a recognition of the Assad regime. How is Mr. Gilmore's work impacted by such moves?

I see Deputy Leddin offering again for a supplementary. I will call on him before reverting to the special representative.