Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I thank the Deputies for their supplementary contributions. It is certainly an extraordinarily frustrating situation. Virtually the entire world is pleading for a resolution to this matter. It is a savage civil war. More than 10,000 lives have already been lost and children appear to have been very much to the fore in suffering from the savage acts that have occurred. There are huge ethnic and religious divisions in the country so military intervention is a difficult measure to contemplate in such circumstances. It could very well add fuel to the fire. The only plan in town, so to speak, is the Kofi Annan plan, which has the support of the United Nations, the European Union and the Arab League. Almost all countries support it. Clearly, there are problems with Russia and China, and Russia is the country with most influence in that respect. The rumours that Russia is providing attack helicopters are still not substantiated but it would be a serious escalation if that is the case.

The European Union has been involved in imposing quite substantial sanctions relating to oil imports, arms sales, freezing of assets and a ban on luxury items, which are very much prized by the Assad family. UN sanctions are now being imposed and we support that. We would support any intensification of sanctions. The Tánaiste has been to the fore in arguing the case at the EU, the OSCE and at the UN, and will continue to do that.

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