Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Thankfully more than 1,400 people have been able to leave the old city of Homs. Many people would regard this as the first positive development arising from the Geneva II talks. The attack on the convoy should be condemned utterly. There is potential for some movement but there are clearly elements that do not want to see the innocent civilians who are trapped in Homs released.

The fact that the regime arrested and detained many men and boys who were leaving raises serious questions about the potential for further evacuations not only from Homs but also from other areas. There have some successful attempts in other areas. Is there anything the EU can do in this regard? I welcome that Ireland has stepped up to the plate in allocating additional funding. Can we outline our dismay over the arrest and detention of young men leaving the area? Is there any potential for raising the issue of detentions with the Syrian Government and others around the table at the Geneva II talks?

See this speech in context