Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The initial mission for the monitors is a 90 day mission. The Deputy might be interested in incidents involving the observers that have occurred in recent days and are a cause of concern.

UN reports indicate that the UN supervision mission in Syria had advised the UN that shortly after 2 p.m. local time on 15 May a convoy of four vehicles was struck by an explosion from an improvised explosive device at Khan Cheikhoun, near Hama. There have been substantial difficulties and substantial loss of life in Hama. Three UN vehicles were damaged but no UN personnel were hurt in the explosion. The mission sent a patrol team to the area to help extract those UN military observers. As I said, no Irish observers were involved. The mission reported yesterday, 16 May 2012, that it picked up the six UN military observers who had to stay overnight in Khan Cheikhoun after vehicles in their convoy were damaged following the explosion. They are now back at their team site in Hama.

Last Tuesday, 15 May, the UN reported from the United Nations supervision mission in Syria that heavy fighting took place on 14 May in Talbisa, in Rastan, and United Nations military observers witnessed that a highway in the area had been blocked by Government forces. A United Nations military observer patrol helped to de-escalate the situation and got the highway opened after interaction with Government forces.

The reality, unfortunately, is that there are continuing incidents and concerns with regard to the area. There are uncertainties about the likelihood of the six-point plan for Syria proposed by UN-Arab League joint special envoy, Kofi Annan, being implemented. The mission is under ongoing review by the United Nations. The UN Security Council Resolution 2043 requests the UN Secretary General to report to the Council on the implementation of its resolution every 15 days and also to submit as necessary to the Council proposals for possible adjustments to the mandate.

The current UN mandate expires on 20 July 2012. Whether the mandate will be renewed remains to be seen and much depends on what happens with regard to the ongoing conflict and the likelihood of the implementation of the six-point plan. As matters stand there are no plans to send any additional troops from our Defence Forces other than to maintain in situ the six monitors who are there. Obviously, we will keep a watchful eye on how matters develop with regard to the capacity of the monitors to fulfil a useful function and to meet a mandate in circumstances in which violence appears to be continuing.

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