Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. I share their despondency with the situation in eastern Ghouta. The pictures that we are seeing are horrifying even by the standards of this conflict, which has been appalling throughout. On behalf of the Government, I condemn in the strongest terms the continued attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals and schools.

Regarding the Government's response, the Tánaiste attended the UN Security Council briefing on this issue in New York last week, where the UN Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres, appealed for an immediate suspension of violence in eastern Ghouta to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and for evacuations. Ireland strongly endorsed that call.

Ireland welcomes the adoption of a Security Council resolution on Saturday that called for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to besieged populations in Syria. However, the bombardment of eastern Ghouta has continued in defiance of this resolution. This morning, there were reports of continued attacks even during what was meant to be a five-hour pause. I am also concerned by the reports of chemical attacks in recent days. The Foreign Affairs Council of the EU met yesterday. Ireland added its voice to calls for the immediate and full implementation of the ceasefire demanded by the UN Security Council.

As to intervening with Russian authorities, I understand the Tánaiste previously met the Russian deputy foreign Minister, Mr. Vladimir Titov, and communicated directly our concerns to the Russian authorities about their support for the prolonged suffering of the Syrian people. Numerous times, he has relayed to the Russian ambassador Ireland's concern with the situation. I will convey to him the Deputies' call that further steps should be taken along this road.

It is a difficult situation. It is hard to continue hoping that political solutions can be found, but I understand that the UN special envoy, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, is continuing his efforts. Forlorn as they may seem at this stage, we are determined to support those efforts. As the Deputies know, there has been a policy of supporting sanctions and we support measures to ensure legal accountability for all of the war crimes that are being committed against humanity in Syria. Ireland takes the strongest possible view of this situation and welcomes the Deputies' support for our position.

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