Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to deputise for Deputy Calleary. The Arab League sent in an observer team to help reduce the violence that has swept across Syria in the past year, with anti-Government protestors being massacred by forces under the control of the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad. The President agreed to the team in order to end ongoing violence and avoid the need for a UN-led mission to the country. As we now know, however, the month-long Arab League mission left in January. Its departure points to the failure of regional efforts to deal with the problem and the need for an international solution.

UN sources estimate that 7,500 protestors have been killed by the President's attempts to stamp out civil dissent. The influential US Senator, John McCain, has called on the international community to arm the Syrian opposition and the prospect of military intervention increases. Has the Government prepared contingency plans for involvement in Syria if the triple-lock procedure is satisfied? What other national organisations could be called on in the event of UN humanitarian intervention in Syria?

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