Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It would have been very difficult for Ireland to play a role in Syria. However, most independent neutrals would say that we could do two positive things. First, we could help those fleeing the conflict and, second, we could stay neutral. Sadly, we perform poorly in both areas. We have been more reluctant than other European countries to take in refugees. We have been slower, we do not appear to have an appetite for it and we put very little energy into it, given the results. Only one unaccompanied minor has arrived in this country in two years. It beggars belief.

With regard to staying neutral, in 2001 we facilitated the American invasion of Afghanistan by giving its forces the use of Shannon Airport for military purposes. We also gave America the use of that airport for military purposes in Iraq in 2003. There were problems in Afghanistan before the Americans invaded, but they became 100 times worse when they did. There were also problems in Iraq before the Americans invaded, but they also became 100 times worse after that. It is estimated that over 2 million civilians have died in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001. Almost 400,000 have been killed in Syria, which is nothing short of horrific. Libya had problems before the western powers decided to invade, bomb the living daylights out of it and make it far worse.

We all agree that what Assad has done is horrific and what Russia is doing at present is horrific. However, where was the outcry when the US, France and Britain decided to arm the so-called moderate rebels in Syria? Where was the outcry when the same countries decided to start bombing Syria in September 2014? Did we have to wait for the Russians to start bombing it in September 2015 before we got angry? At one stage 15 countries were bombing Syria - Australia, Bahrain, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Jordan, Canada, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UK, the US and Russia. Iran was also involved. What was it for? The western forces have played a huge role in flooding Syria with arms.

Where is the outcry about Yemen today? A total of 3,500 civilians have been killed in Aleppo recently by Assad's forces and the Russians. It is unthinkable. However, 10,000 civilians have died in Yemen in the last year. It is a mad war. The US is supporting Saudi Arabia in a mad war, but I have not heard Fianna Fáil give out about it yet. I am surprised. What is wrong with its members?

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