Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate my call made last week for a discussion with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the situation in Syria, particularly in the light of the failure of European Union Foreign Ministers to agree a unanimous position on the supply of arms to rebels in that country. There will be a window of opportunity in the coming months to address the situation. In this regard, I urge support for the United States Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry, in his attempts to bring about peace talks. This House must support the Tánaiste as he reiterates the position of this country and the European Union on the conflict in Syria. Our debate with the Tánaiste should include a discussion of the report published today by Amnesty International, The State of the World's Human Rights, which shows that 42 million people worldwide have been forcefully displaced by conflict and persecution, of whom 5.5 million are Syrians. There is a major human rights crisis throughout the world which this House should debate as a matter of urgency.

I welcome the announcement today of impressive tourism figures for the first quarter of the year. I support the call made by the Restaurants Association of Ireland for the maintenance of the 9% VAT rate for restaurants and other key sectors of the tourism industry. This particular taxation measure is very productive and having the desired effect in creating additional jobs. I call on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, to ensure it is retained in the forthcoming budget.