Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At each European Council meeting a report has been given on the Syrian question by the EU High Representative, Baroness Catherine Ashton, which outlines the devastating consequences of the conflict. I have not had time to read the report to which the Deputy referred but I have it in my office. The conflict in Syria, as the Deputy is well aware, has been a major priority for the European Union for the past two years. Latest UN estimates put the death toll in Syria at up to 70,000, including more than 500 children. At least 2 million Syrians have been displaced internally and a further 2 million are in serious need of humanitarian assistance. The High Representative has given evidence that the Christian population in particular has suffered unprecedented attacks. A total of 820,000 Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries as refugees from the violence. During the Presidency the Tánaiste and Minister for Affairs and Trade is treating this as a major priority and recently discussed the question with Secretary of State Kerry. We will fully support the efforts of the EU High Representative on this issue and we will use our influence in so far as we can to advance the efforts of the Union to bring about a political solution to the conflict and deal effectively with the humanitarian fallout.

We must continue to focus our efforts on finding a way to end the violence and initiate a political process. We are supportive of the mediation efforts led by the UN Arab League joint special envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, in search of a political breakthrough and we call on the political opposition in Syria led by the Syrian National Coalition to work more closely with the special envoy. We also welcome the initiative by the president of the Syrian National Coalition, Sheikh al-Khatib, in proposing direct talks with the Syrian regime and the ongoing diplomatic efforts to give effect to this initiative and promote the beginning of dialogue which might lead to a peace process.

During its Presidency of the EU, Ireland will remain actively engaged in addressing the appalling humanitarian situation which has arisen since the crisis began. The Government allocated an additional €4.7 million in Irish Aid funding and emergency supplies to help meet the needs of some of the civilian population in Syria. This brings the total value of the Irish Government's response to the crisis to just over €7 million. We have been very supportive of efforts to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. We have been at the forefront of EU efforts in this regard and will continue to be so. When I had the privilege of meeting former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in Dublin we discussed this in the course of our conversation and when she left Government Buildings it was to proceed to a direct discussion with the special envoy, Mr. Brahimi, on the question in Syria.

At the Davos World Economic Forum a contribution was made by Javier Solano who stated Europe in particular must look at what is happening across the Mediterranean because the situation is evolving globally and there may well be a requirement for far more focused and more detailed analysis of how Europe should look at its relationship with the entire Middle East in the time ahead. The two state solution has been a central feature of this for many years, but starting with the Arab spring the focus has moved around the perimeter of the Mediterranean and Syria, unfortunately and tragically, is a very bad case. In so far as Ireland is concerned, as a member of the Union and as the holder of the Presidency we will proceed in respect of the actions I have mentioned. I suggest the Deputy tables a Topical Issue matter on the specific issue of the report and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade would be happy to respond to it, or on the next occasion we have questions I will be able to answer the Deputy in greater detail.

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