Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Smith for raising this important issue.

The European Union has repeatedly called on the Syrian authorities never to use its chemical weapons and to store them securely, pending destruction under independent verification. Ireland has made the same calls. Recent information which suggests that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria is of the utmost concern to us all. Any use of chemical weapons would have an appalling humanitarian impact, is clearly contrary to international legal norms and must be utterly condemned.

Information that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria first came to light last December. Additional allegations were made in March. On 20 March, the Syrian authorities formally requested the UN Secretary General to undertake an investigation into the allegations that chemical weapons were used in Khan AI-Assal, near Aleppo, on 19 March. Opposition forces denied that they had conducted these attacks and also alleged that the Syrian authorities had used chemical weapons in additional attacks in the suburbs of Damascus on the same day.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has agreed to undertake the investigation, with the support of the World Health Organization and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In agreeing to undertake the investigation, the Secretary General stated that it must have unfettered access. He has also said that all serious claims that chemical weapons have been used should be examined without delay, without conditions and without exception.

The EU has written to the Secretary General to insist on a comprehensive investigation. The investigation team, led by Dr. Ake Sellstrom, has been established and is ready to travel to Syria at short notice. It is a matter of deep regret that the Syrian authorities have not yet agreed to the UN investigation team being given full and unfettered access. At the recent review conference of the chemical weapons convention, which took place only last month, the EU again expressed its grave concern at the allegations and again called on the Syrian authorities to permit the investigation to begin without delay. The 188 states which are party to the convention agreed that "the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances would be reprehensible and completely contrary to the legal norms and standards of the international community". While Syria is one of only eight states which is not party to the chemical weapons convention, it must not ignore this clear statement of principle made by the global community.

We have seen in recent days increasing indications that there is evidence to support the claims that chemical weapons, specifically the nerve agent sarin, have been used in Syria. These indications make it all the more urgent that the UN Secretary General be allowed to undertake his investigation without delay. The EU fully supports the UN Secretary General's efforts and stands ready to offer whatever support it can to him. Future steps which the EU may take must be on the basis of evidence.

I also wish to note that the EU is collectively the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to support the people of Syria, having committed over €600 million to date. This includes the €8.15 million that Ireland has contributed nationally, mainly through UN agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC.

Deputy Smith will be aware that last August I visited the Za'atri refugee camp, which was the first major camp established in Jordan to deal with the refugees and displaced persons from Syria. At that time I met the representatives of United Nations agencies, including UNICEF as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and discussed the issue of refugee status and the difficulties that they were experiencing as a result of the terrible conflict that is continuing in Syria.

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