Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I can inform Deputy Timmins, an esteemed and honoured member of the Defence Forces of former years, that there was detailed discussion on this at the Heads of Government meeting in Brussels, where a detailed report was given by High Representative Ashton. There was full support for the sanctions that were imposed, both from a European perspective and from a United Nations perspective. I note that former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, was in Syria and has had two meetings with the President there. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs attended in Tunis as part of the meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs.

With regard to Europe, let me assure Deputy Timmins that Europe is very concerned about the massacre that is taking place and about the horrendous happenings in Syria, and is fully focused on dealing with this. Quite a number of countries have withdrawn their embassies and ambassadors from Syria. The sanctions are tight and will continue to be so until there is a resolution to this situation.

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