Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste's reply. We have discussed this issue on Question Time and at meetings of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade in recent months. As the Tánaiste stated, the situation in Syria is frightening. This is a massive humanitarian issue, with possibly 100,000 people dead. There are 6.8 million people in need of aid, more than 50% of whom are children. In addition, 4.2 million individuals have been internally displaced. The Tánaiste has highlighted this matter in recent months with his colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union and I urge him to continue his efforts in this regard. It is most disappointing that the international community outside Europe has not honoured the pledges made in respect of the provision of humanitarian aid. A few weeks ago, only 20% of the aid that had been either pledged or promised had actually been delivered. I welcome the fact that there has been an increase but obviously this is not sufficient. As the Tánaiste indicated and as matters stand, only 50% of what was promised has been delivered to the region, which is in dire need of additional assistance.

I welcome the fact that the Tánaiste has continued to state that Ireland wishes to see a negotiated settlement. The statements made by US Secretary of State Kerry and the Russian authorities in that regard are welcome. Will the Tánaiste comment on the vote which took place at the UN yesterday and which showed some deviation, in the context of numbers, from a previous vote? There appears to be a level of concern among certain members of the United Nations regarding Islamic infiltration of the opposition grouping in Syria.

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