Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The state of the Irish banks back in 2012 was very different from what it is now. Obviously, with the decisions made by the Government and the return of confidence, the banks are worth a lot more than they were then.

The Government has these two options. The Minister for Finance has made it perfectly clear that he does not propose to dispose of the shareholding that we have in Bank of Ireland yet. We need to measure its approximate value and decide how best to go about disposing of it, if it is appropriate to do so. We also have to consider the same action for AIB if it is deemed appropriate. We can also consider an application for direct recapitalisation as per the European Council decision. The objective in all of these options, or any others that might come along, is to get the best return for the Irish taxpayer.

The situation in Syria is terrible. Nearly two thirds of the Syrian population, almost 3 million people, are now refugees, which is almost three quarters of the Irish population. This is of the gravest concern, and I agree with Deputy Martin that it now poses a global threat. The ISIS caliphate covers a population of 15 million across various borders. The consequent scale of suffering and humanitarian issues in the region, including south Lebanon and Jordan, caused by the Assad regime and the growth of ISIS as part of a mercenary so-called opposition to that regime beggars belief. This is an issue that is of the gravest concern to the European Council and other global powers. The denial of humanitarian relief and rights to so many people is utterly unacceptable. I have seen the reports on the possibilities with regard to reform of the United Nations to give it the power and authority that it might or should have. Mr. Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary General’s special envoy for Syria, has been working hard to find a political alternative to violence in the region.

We remain focused on ending the violence; the experience of this in Ireland may be on a smaller scale but it is of no less importance. We are also focused on the appointment of a new and inclusive transitional governing body and the holding of democratic elections for the formation of a new Syrian Government.

Following the suspension of aid there I am glad to say that Ireland supports the World Food Programme, WFP, in its assistance of Syria. Ireland provided €1.5 million to that organisation for its response to the Syria crisis in 2014 and this was part of a €14 million package of Irish Aid support for the people of Syria this year. Some €1.5 million was provided to Syria in 2013 and €200,000 in 2012 so the total of Irish Aid's funding in this regard is around €3.2 million to date. The total of Ireland's support for the WFP comes to just under €13 million for 2014. This includes an annual un-earmarked contribution of just under €10 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and a further €3 million provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Irish Aid programme.

This year has seen unprecedented demand for humanitarian aid and the Syrian crisis accounts for a proportion of this. We are very conscious of this fact. At the second international humanitarian pledging conference for Syria in Kuwait in January 2014 the then Minister of State, Deputy Costello, announced that Ireland would contribute €12 million in support of the humanitarian aid effort in 2014. Funds have been provided to a range of established UN partners including €1.5 million to the World Food Programme and €5.3 million to the Red Cross, Red Crescent and other non-governmental organisations, NGOs. There is an enormous strain. Ireland provided €2.5 million for the regional development and protection programme, which is led by the European Commission and Denmark and aims to work in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq over three years. This programme takes a different approach that bridges humanitarian development programming for both refugee and host communities.

Everyone in this House is appalled at the massacre today of more than 100 children in Peshawar by the Taliban. This act was the wanton slaughter of innocent children and it is appalling. I expect that it will be a focus of the European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday and I expect that the European Council, the United Nations, global powers and those interested in protecting human life will take an exceptionally strong view. This was an act of wanton murder. We will raise and discuss this matter at the European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday and contribute to the response. I expect that more powerful players will also have views on the Taliban's actions today.

In answer to Deputy Martin's question on Syria, a situation of global significance and threat has been unleashed and an appropriate response is required.

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