Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I call for an urgent debate on the appalling emerging situation in Syria. Last night, we were all appalled to see on television the bodies of close to 100 men and young boys being pulled out of a river in Aleppo as well as images of thousands of refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, where a large humanitarian crisis is emerging. The relief agencies admit that they are being overwhelmed and will shortly be unable to deal with the major crisis they have on their hands.

The UN-Arab League mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, has warned the UN Security Council that Syria is breaking up before people's eyes. I join him in urging the 15 nations of the council to put aside their differences and to attempt to put an end to this civil war urgently. The international community is not doing enough. This House needs to debate the issue. We have a history of dealing with crises, civil wars and peace processes. Ireland can play a key role, given the fact that we will hold the EU Presidency for the next six months. I call on the Deputy Leader to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Seanad to debate this ongoing and appalling crisis before the situation gets any worse.