Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive reply on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and I thank the Minister for the leadership he has shown on behalf of our country on this. The fact that he will attend, on behalf of this country, the inaugural meeting of the Friends of Syria, in Tunisia tomorrow gives hope that this country can continue to do what it has always done, which is play its part in promoting human rights and protecting civilians from violence.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting of next week will be a crucial point for Europe to speak clearly with one voice and to leave our other international colleagues, particularly Russia and China, in no doubt as to exactly where the EU stands on this issue. It is worrying for anyone who has confidence in the UN to see the UN's outdated structures unable to reach agreement on this matter. The use of the veto by Russia and China has been extremely problematic. The politics and power play that continually happen at the Security Council is disconcerting.

I thank the Minister for his leadership.

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