Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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11. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress and support Ireland has given in terms of establishing humanitarian corridors to allow aid to get into Syria; the extent to which his Department will step up its efforts to support Syrian refugees and the setting up of humanitarian corridors in response to the barrel-bombing of more than 500 people in Aleppo since 15 December which included a high number of children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1434/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The protracted and tragic crisis in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained and urgent response from the international community. There are now nearly 9 million people who are in need of immediate life saving support. This figure includes 6.5 million people who are displaced within Syria, and more than 2.3 million Syrians who have fled the violence to take refuge in neighbouring countries.

I am acutely aware that there are many people inside Syria who have not received any assistance in a long period of time. While reaching these populations under siege is an urgent priority, the fact remains that humanitarian access across Syria is exceptionally difficult as a result of increasing disregard by armed groups on both sides of the conflict of their obligations under International Humanitarian Law. Recent attacks on civilians as witnessed in Aleppo, in addition to abductions of humanitarian personnel, clearly illustrate this highly risky operating environment and shrinking humanitarian space.

The question of establishing humanitarian corridors within Syria is a complex one, in that to do so would likely necessitate the provision of foreign military protection to humanitarian convoys. This could have the unwelcome and unintended result of placing already vulnerable civilians and aid workers at further risk. We therefore share the caution of the United Nations’ humanitarian agencies, the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and many of our other partners in respect of the calls for military intervention in support of humanitarian action and believe that negotiated access remains the most effective approach.

Ireland supports UN Under Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, Valerie Amos, in her call for humanitarian pauses to ensure safe and unhindered passage of humanitarian conveys into hard-to-reach areas. We must consider alternative forms of aid delivery, including cross border delivery of assistance which complies with the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and humanity. While the United Nations Security Council Presidential Statement of 2nd October was a welcome and necessary step, as the humanitarian situation continues to worsen, full political weight now needs to be brought to bear through the Security Council to ensure its implementation. Ireland is disappointed with the negligible impact of this initiative on the ground, with humanitarians still being denied access to populations in need.

In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, Ireland will continue to advocate for increased support to the humanitarian relief effort at all relevant international fora. Ireland is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis, having already provided over €14 million in assistance since the crisis began. My colleague, the Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello, T.D. is today attending the Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria and the region in Kuwait where he has announced Ireland’s pledge of €12 million in support to the humanitarian relief effort over the course of 2014 which will bring our total assistance to over €26 million.

The Government has matched its material humanitarian contribution with concrete support to international efforts to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis and to advocate for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. We have called for all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and to refrain from the targeting of civilians. We continue to stress the need for a comprehensive political solution to this crisis, every day that passes leads to further suffering and the international humanitarian response can only do so much.