Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I understand Deputy Calleary, who tabled two priority questions, is unavoidably absent. The Ceann Comhairle, as an exceptional measure, has agreed that Deputy Troy may deal with his questions in his place.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Defence if any approach has been made from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to defence force involvement in a potential UN peacekeeping mission in Syria and the procedures that would be involved in assessing the involvement of the defence forces in such a mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14578/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Government is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Syria. Almost 3 million people have been affected by the civil unrest in Syria since it began in March 2011. The population of the Homs district of Baba Amr has been displaced. While exact figures are difficult to ascertain, the number of fatalities thus far is at least 8,000, with 2,500 killed in the past month alone. A further 200,000 people have fled their homes and 30,000 are now living as refugees. The Government shares the widespread regret at the Security Council's failure in February to adopt a draft resolution, which otherwise commanded extensive support, due to the veto by Russia and China. The five permanent members of the Security Council are continuing their consultations on a new draft resolution on Syria without any sign of an imminent breakthrough.

Intensive international efforts have continued, however. The former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has been appointed joint special envoy of the UN and Arab League. Mr. Annan held two days of talks with President Assad, during which he presented concrete proposals for a ceasefire and humanitarian access. No agreement emerged at the meeting, however. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the lead Department in this issue. To date that Department has not been approached by United Nations for assistance. At this time there is no provision in the draft Security Council resolution for a military operation. It is envisaged that any intervention by the UN will be humanitarian in nature and, therefore, the Defence Forces would not play a role.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to deputise for Deputy Calleary. The Arab League sent in an observer team to help reduce the violence that has swept across Syria in the past year, with anti-Government protestors being massacred by forces under the control of the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad. The President agreed to the team in order to end ongoing violence and avoid the need for a UN-led mission to the country. As we now know, however, the month-long Arab League mission left in January. Its departure points to the failure of regional efforts to deal with the problem and the need for an international solution.

UN sources estimate that 7,500 protestors have been killed by the President's attempts to stamp out civil dissent. The influential US Senator, John McCain, has called on the international community to arm the Syrian opposition and the prospect of military intervention increases. Has the Government prepared contingency plans for involvement in Syria if the triple-lock procedure is satisfied? What other national organisations could be called on in the event of UN humanitarian intervention in Syria?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Unless the triple-lock requirements are satisfied we cannot deploy Defence Forces personnel overseas in a military capacity. This would require a unanimous UN resolution but in the absence of such a resolution we cannot get involved in a military mission. A decision of the Government and a vote in the Dáil is also required if the number of personnel to be deployed is greater than seven. However, even in the absence of such a resolution there is still hope. I understand discussions have taken place between Kofi Annan and the Syrian Government and a statement may issue later today regarding proposals that have been put to the latter.

In the meantime the Irish Government is actively involved in providing humanitarian assistance. It proposes to spend more than €500,000 in supporting humanitarian organisations in Syria and camps in adjacent countries. Our efforts will be concentrated in that area.