Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at recent meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the very urgent need to address the ongoing conflict in Syria and the horrendous loss of life and displacement of persons; the decisions reached at those meetings on additional measures to be taken by the European Union and the international community to progress a political solution; if additional humanitarian aid was pledged for Syria and that region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45310/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The loss of life and the displacement of people as a result of the ongoing conflict in Syria are horrendous. More than 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives in the four and a half year conflict, 6.6 million people are displaced within Syria and more than 4 million people have fled the country. Nearly 14 million people in Syria, half the country’s population, are in dire need of humanitarian assistance with the utmost urgency. Will the Minister outline any new initiative that may be taken at EU level to assist these people who are living in desperate circumstances?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Ending the catastrophe which has befallen Syria and imposed enormous burdens on the states neighbouring Syria is critical to the stability of the Middle East region and the security and safety of the Syrian people and their neighbours. This has been a key priority for Ireland and its EU partners in recent years. I welcome the announcements of 30 October and 14 November by international stakeholders, including the European Union and a number of EU member states, in Vienna on the launching of negotiations, the holding of elections, working for a nationwide ceasefire and supporting unimpeded humanitarian access across Syria. I call on all parties to support the United Nations’ efforts and commit themselves to work sincerely and with urgency for a nationwide ceasefire, a negotiated peace agreement. Ireland strongly endorses the efforts of the United Nations to renew peace negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communiqué principles, in particular, the ending of violence, the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and a constitutional reform process which would protect Syria’s multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian character.

There must also be legal accountability for victims of the Syrian conflict. In 2014 we co-sponsored a resolution which called for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. While recognising the need for a political transition and an end to the Assad regime, ultimately, it is the Syrian people’s right to decide on Syria’s future national leadership. Ireland has pledged that its support for the Syrian people will reach over €42 million by the end of 2015.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply and sincerely hope, given the views expressed by the EU High Representative after the Vienna talks, that a political solution to be achieved with the utmost urgency is the way forward. We fully realise the difficulties in achieving it. In the aftermath of the Paris attacks by Daesh the House had the opportunity to condemn the attacks. The organisation’s ideology is extreme and constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to peace and security. I condemn the gross, systematic and widespread abuses of human rights and the violations of humanitarian law by Daesh. The European Union has been a good contributor to assist people in the most difficult of circumstances in Syria. We must recognise the pressures on the countries adjoining Syria, namely, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq, that have been generous in their response to the Syrian people. Humanitarian aid and assistance must be given to these neighbouring countries, as well as to those in Syria who are living in the worst of circumstances.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the Deputy, particularly on the horrific acts of terrorism perpetrated by Daesh in Syria and across the region. It is imperative that appropriate action be taken. On the situation in the wider region, the Deputy will agree that ending the Syrian conflict is essential to the stabilisation of the Middle East region, ending the threat of terrorism and the humanitarian and security crisis which are devastating the people of Syria and the region. The flow of refugees is posing social, political and economic challenges, as I witnessed in Lebanon earlier this year and as my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, witnessed in Jordan last month. Ireland continues to play its part in the provision of assistance in the region and to the refugee population in neighbouring countries. The Deputy will agree that the regional crisis cannot be adequately addressed without a viable peace process in Syria.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As I stated previously, we need a fair, equitable and proportionate EU resettlement programme in response to the migrant challenge. Ireland must play a part in providing a safe haven for those escaping conflict. We must also put in place robust safeguards to ensure those who seek refuge in Europe, including Ireland, are genuine migrants. This is important as we deal with the issue.

On 1 December the European Union adopted the regional trust fund, a €350 million aid package, the single biggest response to the crisis in Syria. It breaks down into substantial funding for education, local development, health, water and sanitation programmes. Is Ireland contributing to the fund and is the Minister satisfied, based on the data available, that this very welcome and progressive aid programme will meet the needs of the people in most need of assistance?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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By the end of the year Ireland will have pledged support for the Syrian people in excess of €42 million. This is Irish Aid’s largest response to a single crisis in recent years. Ireland’s funding is channelled via the United Nations, the Red Cross and our NGOs in the region. The money is expended on meeting priority needs in the area, including for food, water, sanitation, shelter, education and protection, including child protection and the prevention of gender based violence. The funding underlines Ireland’s continued commitment to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and neighbouring countries where there are millions of vulnerable refugees and internally displaced persons. Ireland’s support through Irish Aid and NGOs on the ground includes support for the protection of Syrian refugees in Iraq and other areas across the region.