Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for her continued engagement on this matter and for raising these issues regularly in the House and beyond. She is right. One of the most difficult features of the crisis in Syria is that many of those who are most in need are beyond the reach of humanitarian aid. Many are unable to receive it and many are only receiving it on a sporadic basis. Both the Syrian Government and rebel factions are using siege tactics and heavy weaponry in populated areas. The operating environment is extremely volatile and insecure, particularly in areas controlled by the opposition. It is important that we continue to welcome the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2165 last July, which authorised the delivery of humanitarian aid by the United Nations and its partners across the border into Syria, even without the consent of the Assad regime. The United Nations has been delivering cross-border aid where local conditions make this feasible. Ireland continues to work through a variety of channels, including our established United Nations partners, NGO partners, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to ensure that Irish aid can be delivered across the borders and conflict lines to those who most need it.

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