Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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9. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the number of persons who have travelled from Ireland to fight in the Syrian civil war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1506/14]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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This question refers to the greatest humanitarian crisis of modern times. Up to 2.3 million Syrian people are refugees in neighbouring countries, half of whom are children. Up to 6.5 million people have been displaced internally with upwards of 130,000 murdered. Foreign fighters began arriving in earnest in Syria in early 2012, a year after peaceful protests against the al-Assad regime were violently suppressed and an armed revolt then ensued. Up to 11,000 fighters from more than 70 nations have joined the struggle in Syria against the president, Mr. al-Assad.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Thank you, Deputy.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Has the issue of Europeans taking part in this conflict been discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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What is happening in Syria is a humanitarian disaster and tragedy of epic proportions. It is unfortunate that the recent talks did not produce any successful outcome or indicator that this conflict might come to an end. Upheaval and conflict in Syria has witnessed the phenomenon of individuals travelling from Europe to the fighting. The motives for individuals travelling to Syria vary from humanitarian to a willingness to participate in the conflict. Sadly, it seems a number of Irish residents have travelled to Syria to take part in the fighting. Tragically, a number of them have lost their lives there.

With possibly up to 2,000 foreign fighters in Syria, the involvement of European citizens is unprecedented in comparison to other recent conflicts. There is also increasingly emerging evidence that rather than helping the situation, these individuals are merely adding to the chaos and confusion. Many of them no longer know who they are fighting or who is commanding them. Unfortunately, some are being exploited by more malign elements with wider fundamentalist agendas than the Syrian conflict. Among the groups participating in the civil war in Syria are al-Qaeda and groups who are or have been al-Qaeda affiliates.

As I have previously indicated, this is an issue of concern to the majority of European states and one to which I gave priority during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In that connection, Ireland was successful in gaining the agreement of the member states to carry out a review of the EU strategy for countering radicalisation and recruitment to terrorism. Work is ongoing on this matter at various levels in the EU. One of the aspects to be addressed in the review is that of how best to manage the foreign-fighter phenomenon. In addition, Ireland is also a member of a small group of like-minded member states set up during the Irish Presidency to develop a response to this issue. I have met with my EU ministerial colleagues in this regard.

It is widely accepted that a key element in addressing this problem is a programme of proactive engagement with the communities most affected. This is with a view to persuading those inclined to travel that there may be more beneficial and positive ways of contributing to a resolution of the conflict than taking up arms. The Garda racial, intercultural and diversity office is in contact with many of our minority communities through its network of ethnic liaison officers and is there to discuss all matters of concern to these communities, including those related to the conflicts in the Middle East. An Garda Síochána is also a member of the EU's radicalisation awareness network which was set up by the European Commission to develop responses and best practices in the field of radicalisation, including the foreign-fighter dimension. This work is continuing.

From a security perspective, an Garda Síochána will continue to monitor developments in this area and take action as required.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. The number of individuals from western Europe who have travelled to participate in the conflict in Syria has trebled to almost 2,000. According to a study by King’s College, London, this figure includes up to 366 from Britain. Have we an estimate of how many Irish people have travelled to Syria to participate in the conflict?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Across Europe there are various estimates as to the numbers from different EU member states who have travelled to participate in this conflict. We estimate between 25 and 30 Irish residents have travelled there for that purpose. Some have lost their lives in this conflict.

A whole range of particular issues arise for this State and the EU member states. It is a matter of great concern across Europe as to when individuals who participated in the conflict under the flag of fundamentalist and extreme organisations return to the European Union. Having been radicalised by those with whom they are engaged, they may pose certain threats within member states. Some were already radicalised before they travelled to participate in the conflict.

This is not a simple issue. Wearing my two hats as the Minister for Justice and Equality and Minister for Defence, we are carefully monitoring this situation as there are important security issues of relevance to this State, as well as to the broader European Union.