Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to seek cessation of hostilities in Syria combined with humanitarian assistance with particular reference to the large number of refugees arising from the conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23607/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The conflict in Syria continues to be one of the greatest challenges confronting the international community at present. Since his appointment in August 2012, the UN/League of Arab States Special Envoy Ladkhar Brahimi has shown great resolve in working to achieve these objectives. The international community has consistently expressed its full support for his efforts, notably his search for a formula for transition based on last year’s Geneva Communiqué and providing for a transitional Government leading to free elections in Syria.

The role of the international community in seeking a political settlement to the crisis, in particular through the UN Security Council, remains essential. I therefore warmly welcome the agreement reached by the US and Russia on 7 May to host an International Conference on Syria which would be held before the end of the month. UN Secretary General Ban and Special Envoy Brahimi have also welcomed this development. I urge both sides to the conflict to seize the opportunity offered by the US-Russia proposal and to engage fully in a process of dialogue aimed at ending the violence and starting a transition towards a genuine democratic dispensation in Syria.

It remains essential not to lose sight of the dreadful humanitarian crisis that is unfolding as a result of the conflict in Syria; we are now faced with a truly alarming situation, with almost 1.5 million refugees and over 6.8 million within Syria in need of assistance. I was able myself to witness the impact of this appalling conflict on ordinary civilians and children when I visited a refugee camp at Nizip on the Turkish-Syrian border in early April. The crisis is placing particular pressure on neighbouring countries which are required to host large numbers of refugees. It is important that the international community continues to provide financial and political support to these countries in order to prevent a further deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation.

In response to the various calls for support and help, Ireland has generously contributed more than €8 million to this humanitarian crisis, including a €1 million contribution to the UN-led humanitarian effort which I announced during my recent visit to Turkey. Total EU assistance to date currently stands at well in excess of €600 million. Ireland will continue to take an active role at all levels of our engagement in working to bring about the earliest possible cessation of violence in Syria and ensuring that all those in need, in or outside Syria, can be given the aid they require.