Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. As others have said, his commitment to this work is not in question. At a time like this when there seems so little any of us can do in a crisis, particularly the crisis in Syria, which is so alarming and so enormous, at least Ireland is giving the aid and support it can. While €26 million is small in world terms, it is a significant amount for this country and shows that we at least recognise and understand that solidarity is welcome to the people in Syria on the ground. It seems quite alarming that as we watch the crises in these three places unfold, we can already predict what will happen. There are plenty of experts to tell us how it will unfold, how many people will be displaced and how many will die. Yet it goes on, and we seem unable, as human beings, to stop. For me, that is the most difficult and most profound aspect. As Senator Colm Burke has mentioned, the horrors of Rwanda seem likely to unfold in the Central African Republic. Today, 30 January, the prediction is that the number of people who will displaced in Syria by the end of the year will rise to 4 million, which would be the equivalent of the entire population of Ireland being displaced.

In any proxy war of world powers it is very difficult for a neutral county such as Ireland to become involved at that level, but what we are able to do is to continue our efforts in the humanitarian areas and also use our influence as a neutral country to encourage that humanitarian aid. There appears to be some concern about the European Union's response. I understand only 18 countries have agreed to allow resettlement of refugees, although the number may be 19 as the UK appears to be on the edge of agreeing. Ireland is one of the 18 countries. What role, if any, can Ireland play in encouraging a greater response from the European Union? Surely that is an area in which we can play a role, as opposed to some of the other areas where we are simply not in a position to make a difference in the complexity of the war that is raging. I would be interested to hear the Minister of State's response to that issue.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, said: "I find it disconcerting how many Syrians struggle to find protection in Europe, with reports of people being pushed back from a number of borders." All of this is happening, although the overall numbers are small in comparison. We know what is going to happen. We note that the Turkish government has allowed 600,000 refugees into Turkey, which is an extraordinary number. Daniel Hannan, a correspondent for TheDaily Telegraph, observed as follows:

I am typing these words during a tea-break in a refugee camp on the banks of the Euphrates. Fourteen months ago, this was a patch of empty sand. Now, there are schools, a clinic, a mosque, shops and – as you will have gathered – wifi. Not that I want to make it sound cosy: no one lives in a container from choice. But the brisk and businesslike approach of the Turkish authorities does them immense credit.

I wonder how much we can do in encouraging European Union countries to do more. I draw attention to the observations of Kate Allen, who was then in charge of the Refugee Council, at the time of the Kosovo crisis. She said that although there had been enormous suspicion in the UK about allowing people to enter, and all sorts of suggestions that there would be outrage, when the first aeroplane arrived in Leeds with refugees on board, they were greeted with signs saying "Welcome to Leeds," and people came to the reception centres with food and clothes and treats and games for children. A fear has been trumped up that this will cause a problem but I think not. I think humanity will rise to the occasion, and we should be able to play a role in that.

With regard to addressing the gender-based violence and associated difficulties observed in all of the areas, but particularly Syria, can we have any role or bring any influence to bear? While I acknowledge the international complexity associated with the positions of the United States and Russia, I wonder what, if anything, we can do in respect of those two countries and their very great influence in Syria.