Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to reflect on the appalling tragedy which unfolds daily in Syria. I fully concur with the Deputies' analysis of the extent of the tragedy in Syria and the terrible loss of life that has occurred. This issue has been raised to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the start of the conflict. On 15 March 2011, brave young Syrians began to protest against the corruption of the Assad regime, calling for reform and better government. The leadership of the Syrian regime chose to refuse these demands and acted to suppress the popular protests by murdering and torturing civilians, thereby initiating a fight against its own people.

The horrific conflict that ensued has led to the deaths of more than 200,000 Syrians and almost 4 million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries. Of the 7.5 million people displaced inside Syria, more than half are children who have been traumatised by the violence they have witnessed. Life expectancy in Syria has fallen by a scarcely believable 24 years since the beginning of the conflict, proof, if it were needed, of the horrific hardship and suffering borne by the Syrian population.

Ireland stands with its international partners in supporting a political solution which draws on the principles set out in the 2012 Geneva communiqué, namely, an end to violence, the formation of an inclusive transitional governing body with executive powers and the initiation of a constitutional process for a democratic Syria which preserves Syria's multiethnic and multi-religious character.

Ireland's humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria since 2011 has already reached €31 million. Working with trusted non-governmental organisation partners, United Nations agencies and the Red Cross, our support has met a range of emergency needs, including food, water and sanitation, shelter and other forms of protection. Humanitarian access within Syria remains hampered by regime restrictions on aid agencies, the disunity of the armed opposition and the intensity of the conflict. I repeat the Government's call for safe and unhindered humanitarian access.

Ireland will continue to provide humanitarian assistance in response to ongoing needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees. We have already provided €1.8 million to support the work of UN agencies in 2015, most of which targets the needs of children. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, will attend a pledging conference for Syria in Kuwait next week, at which he will set out how Ireland intends to support the Syrian people in 2015 and will pledge further funding.

I repeat Ireland's condemnation of the multiple war crimes suffered by the Syrian people at the hands of all parties to the conflict. I also reiterate our call on the Security Council to refer the position in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

Ireland is also working on the implementation of measures to address terrorism and violent extremism, which are a threat to the peoples and countries of the Middle East and Europe. We are committed to protecting all victims of violent and extremist ideology and determined to respond to these threats, while strengthening the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. With our international partners, Ireland remains fully committed to doing everything in its power to end the terrible suffering of the Syrian people.

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