Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I know the Acting Chairman has an interest in the issue and she has raised it before. I take on board everything said by the Deputy about this significant tragedy. He mentioned a figure of 70,000 and the number has certainly risen, with probably 100,000 killed in the conflict at this point. The number of displaced persons is enormous, at 6.8 million, and surrounding countries have huge refugee camps. The UN Security Council is unable to formulate an agreed resolution because of different interests, which is an unsatisfactory response to the tragedy from the perspective of the global community.

There are allegations of chemical weapons being used by both sides, with an allegation that opposition groupings have used them in Aleppo and that the Syrian Government has used chemical weapons in Damascus. We do not have the hard evidence that would allow the United Nations or European Union to make a final decision. Undoubtedly, the use of chemical weapons crosses a line already mentioned by the international community and it could well be the game changer with regard to involvement. At this time there is no hard evidence and until the investigation team established by the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, is allowed access to verify the use or otherwise of such weapons, we will not be in a position to make a firm decision on what action can be taken.

I assure the Deputy that at every opportunity we will focus on the issue as much as possible. I may very well be returning to that theatre before too long and I know the Tánaiste has raised it at every opportunity in the European Union. We raise it on a regular basis wherever there is the likelihood of an impact being made in getting a solution. I thank the Deputy for tabling the issue and we will keep it under close examination.

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