Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for allowing this Topical Issue to be put on the agenda. I thank the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, for being here to deal with it. As he knows, the civil war in Syria has been raging for five years. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions of people have been displaced.

As usual in war, the weakest and most vulnerable people pay the heaviest price. In particular, children have paid a heavy toll. The vast numbers of children who have been killed and maimed in Syria are truly shocking. This conflict probably rivals anything in the history of human conflict in its viciousness and the extraordinary losses incurred by civilian populations.

As the Minister is aware, Aleppo has become probably the most tragic of all flash-points in the Syrian civil war. Absolute horror is unfolding at present. Approximately, 250,000 people are trapped in Aleppo. The world cannot simply ignore the plight of these people.

The intervention of Russia over a year ago has worsened the situation rather than improved it. I believe Russia has a role to play in helping to improve the situation. Unfortunately, however, it seems that in recent weeks Russia has contributed to some horrific instances and possible war crimes instead. No matter how limited our clout on the international scene, we cannot, as a country, simply stand by and do nothing. I welcome the efforts of the Minister to call in the Russian ambassador to discuss the situation. We need to take a zero-tolerance approach in future to countries that carry out such atrocities, no matter where they are. I was in contact with the Minister in 2014 when Gaza was being bombarded by Israel. In future we need to consider the possible expulsion of diplomats from countries involved in such atrocities to send a signal to the world of our protestations. Our power to change things may be limited but we need to do what we can. No matter who the perpetrators are, we need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach in future.

There is a practical side to the humanitarian situation at present. What are we doing with regard to aid to people in and around Syria to try to alleviate the shocking situation? Of course, there are always demands but is there scope for us to do more on this front? Perhaps this is something the Minister can address. Obviously, the root cause is what needs to be addressed above all else. We could be here for a long time talking about the root cause and going back over the events of the past decade and before. In any event, with regard to the immediate situation, can we do more when it comes to aid?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this issue. As I have outlined in previous public statements, and as the Taoiseach stated in the House on Tuesday, as a nation we have been shocked and outraged at the appalling scenes of suffering from Aleppo that we have seen daily on our television screens and read in our newspapers. I thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to set out in greater detail the position and actions of the Government in response to the horrifying situation in Aleppo and across Syria.

The conflict in Syria began over popular unrest caused by the corruption, violence and lawlessness of the Assad regime. At its core, the conflict remains centred on this one question: can the Syrian people be free to choose their leaders or will the regime's persistent campaign of mass murder, torture and sexual violence subjugate millions of Syrians into accepting his continued reign of terror? From the outset, Ireland has been clear that we believe this is a crisis of political legitimacy and that only a political solution will be viable and sustainable. We are clear that this must be Syrian-owned and Syrian-led. We have also been consistent in condemning the pattern of systematic violence against civilians as part of which hundreds of thousands have been killed and millions more wounded or forced to flee violence and terrorism. We have called for the protection of all civilians from military force and terrorism and for the unimpeded provision of humanitarian assistance to populations in need as well as full accountability on behalf of the victims of crimes under international law.

It is clear from a wide range of reports that the Assad regime has been overwhelmingly responsible for the deaths of Syrians since the beginning of the uprising in March 2011. The commission of inquiry established by United Nations Human Rights Council has reported findings of evidence that the Assad regime may have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. The excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of military force against the besieged population of Aleppo is a clear violation of international law. Ireland's concerns have been directly conveyed in the clearest terms to the Russian authorities at my direction.

On behalf of the Irish people, I urge Russia to use all its influence in Syria to end these inhumane actions against a defenceless civilian population. Ireland has repeatedly called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court. The suffering of the besieged population in Aleppo underlines the urgency and importance of ensuring accountability for those responsible for these unacceptable actions. The attacks have rightly appalled people in Ireland and across the globe. I acknowledge the important moral stand taken by Irish people in supporting NGOs working to assist the Syrian people as well as those taking a stance for peace, such as those who attended at the GPO last weekend.

Having set out my political approach as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I will now outline the position on aid. Members will be aware that the Government has placed considerable emphasis on doing what we can to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people through provision of humanitarian aid. Earlier today I announced my approval of €1.5 million for the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross inside Syria and €1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for Palestinian refugees affected by the Syria crisis. These actions, combined with our recent disbursement of €5 million to the Turkey refugee facility, bring our total contribution to the Syrian crisis to €62 million since 2012. By the end of this year, we will have provided €67 million for the relief of the Syrian people. I will be discussing the situation in Syria with my EU colleagues at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg later this month. We will focus in particular on how to support the European Union humanitarian initiative on Aleppo.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. I acknowledge the efforts made to provide relief and I welcome the increases in the recent allocations of funding. I imagine the Minister is already doing so, but I call on him to try to do whatever he can to optimise the amount he can make available given the seriousness of the situation. Unfortunately, throughout the world other similar cases are unfolding, but probably nothing is as horrific as what is happening in Syria.

I call on the Minister to try to keep this on the agenda of his colleagues in the European Union as much as he can. As a neutral country, Ireland should make our diplomats and our best people available for efforts to try to resolve the crisis. It seems that the military situation that has unfolded over the past five and a half years will not end soon. So many parties are involved and it is not straightforward or a black-and-white matter. Irish citizens want to know that we are doing our best no matter how limited our interventions can be. They want to know that we are doing what we can. Again, I thank the Minister for his efforts to date. I hope this can be kept high on the agenda.

The Dáil should take the opportunity to hold a broader discussion on the Syrian issue at the earliest possible date. All parties could contribute to a full debate over a longer period. Unfortunately, in the seven or eight minutes available, it is difficult to get in to any detail or discuss the matter and the various complexities. In any event, I think it would be helpful to have a full Dáil debate.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I agree and I wish to assure the House, as the Taoiseach did on Tuesday in my presence, that I would be happy to facilitate Members. That is an issue for the business committee but I would be happy to comply and co-operate, as is always my priority.

I share the absolute revulsion and horror that so many Irish citizens have expressed at the events in Aleppo.

Reports of families sleeping together so that they can survive or die together in a bombing are indeed beyond imagining. Those who perpetrate such crimes against defenceless civilians must face justice.

This morning I had a lengthy discussion with Commissioner Stylianides about the EU's extensive provision of humanitarian relief for the Syrian people. The Commissioner has shown great leadership and the scale of the EU aid is enormous and is critically required. We also discussed the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, a topic I addressed in some detail in my recent address to the United Nations General Assembly. I echo the views of UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, that acts of violence on humanitarian convoys constitute war crimes. I support a credible, thorough and independent investigation to ensure that those accountable for these heinous acts will be held accountable.

The Syrian people who have recently settled in my town, Portlaoise, have recounted to me their terrible experiences in Syria, their fears for their families, friends, neighbours and for the country. I am heartened by the warm welcome they have received in my constituency so far from their beloved homeland.

I understand the deep frustrations which can motivate calls for dramatic action of the type Deputy Griffin has called for. There are many states around the world in respect of which Ireland has had serious concerns and disagreements. Our foreign policy has always been based above all on the resolution of conflict by dialogue. In diplomatic language expelling an ambassador or calling for his removal means that we are no longer interested at least for the moment in dialogue. Ambassadors exist to allow clear communication between governments and are more necessary in bad times than in good. The corollary would be to see the expulsion of our ambassador from Russia, which would diminish our presence in that vast country. Our embassies, as well as communicating our views to foreign governments give regular reports to me and my Government colleagues on international developments and offer protection and assistance to Irish citizens in need which occurs from time to time.