Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

While I have no intention of defending Assad, he is not the only one killing people in Syria as there are many other groups involved.

A report commissioned by the UN, Humanitarian Impact of Syria-Related Unilateral Restrictive Measures, was never published because of its findings. However, it was leaked. It found US and EU economic sanctions on Syria are hitting civilians the hardest and preventing the delivery of blood safety equipment, medical equipment, medicines, fuel, food, water pumps, spare parts for power plants etc. A leaked internal UN email, obtained by the online news publication, The Intercept, in October 2016, also highlighted US and EU sanctions as a principal factor in the disintegration of the Syrian health system. I recommend the Minister examines these two documents. The essentials are not getting through and the sanctions in place, which the EU thinks are bothering Assad, are not.

As we know Assad is winning the war so the sanctions had no effect on that. The people are suffering. A fresh look at the area is required.

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