Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for his very comprehensive statement. Given the fact that the ceasefire is holding, we are all extremely concerned that very little progress has been made in negotiations to bring about a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.

We are all concerned by the growing tension and increasing violence in the area and all support the call made that all parties should refrain from engaging in actions that might worsen the situation. Political leaders must work together. In this regard, recent settlement activity in east Jerusalem is totally unacceptable and unhelpful, as it jeopardises the possibility of Jerusalem being the capital city of both states in a two-state solution.

Formal recognition of the state of Palestine and the motion supported by Seanad Éireann have been mentioned. It is welcome that the Minister has an open mind on the issue. I note his view that recognition of the state of Palestine might best be achieved in conjunction with a peace agreement. It has been accepted that recognition should be subject to a common decision by the European Union; therefore, this is something we will continue to tease out. The humanitarian crisis, loss of life and destruction in Gaza are of major concern. It is welcome that at the recent reconstruction conference held in Cairo the Government pledged €2.5 million towards this cause. It is only a drop in the ocean compared to what is required, but it is a start.

The Minister spoke about the threat posed by ISIS and jihadist terrorists. I wish to refer to the awful situation in Syria where the conflict has been raging for three and a half years and an awful civil war has ensued. Some 3.2 million people have fled to neighbouring countries, which has put appalling pressure on Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey to shoulder the burden of the Syrian crisis. The Geneva II conference failed to make progress owing to the refusal of the Assad regime to agree to a transitional governing body. This has weakened moderate Syrian opposition and the associated Free Syrian Army. As a result, radical jihadist forces have been considerably strengthened, as mentioned. I very much welcome the appointment of Mr. Staffan de Mistura as the new special representative charged with reviving the peace process. We wish him well in his very difficult task and hope he will succeed in bringing all influential parties to the table, including Iran and Israel.

I note that the French Foreign Minister recently called on the international community for urgent military support for the moderate opposition to help to protect civilians. At a recent meeting of the foreign affairs committee Dr. Nader Hashemi, an expert on Syria from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, urged support for the Jimmy Carter peace plan of self-determination, with free elections overseen by the international community. He said such a plan must involve a serious programme to arm and support modern Syrian rebels; he said this would not topple the Assad regime but could turn the tide in the fighting and shift negotiations. What does the Minister think of this? On the other hand, yesterday some of us met the Bishop of Aleppo, the president of Caritas Syria, who was accompanied by representatives of Trócaire. He said there could not be a military solution to the problem and that all efforts must focus on a political solution. He wanted Mr. de Mistura to produce a radical plan supported strongly by the international community. He also said it would help greatly if the United States and China stopped selling arms to neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia.

Ireland has called repeatedly for implementation of the Geneva Principles and for President Assad to hand over power to a traditional governing body. The Minister referred to war crimes. Will he outline the Government's plan for accepting Syrian refugees to ease the pressure on neighbouring countries?