Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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16. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the Syrian Government recording the names of persons being evacuated from Homs under the UN-brokered evacuation of civilians from Homs and fears from the international community that evacuees are being arrested and used as leverage against rebels and civilians who remain in the city; the protection being afforded to those who are evacuated from the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8047/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I refer the Deputy to the answer I delivered earlier to Priority Question No 2. [8272/14.]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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17. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the current situation in Ukraine was discussed at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting; the issues he highlighted; and if there will be any change in the EU’s approach to the volatile political situation in Ukraine. [8109/14]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the ongoing difficulties in the Ukraine; the strategy that has been adopted by the European Union in relation to the need to assist in the restoration of stability in that country; if he is satisfied that the EU's Eastern Partnership is a successful endeavour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8015/14]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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33. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of his discussions at the recent meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels regarding the continuing unrest in Ukraine; the decisions made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8116/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 19 and 33 together.

We had an extensive and wide-ranging discussion on the situation in Ukraine at the Foreign Affairs Council on 10 February, with High Representative Ashton reporting to Ministers on her latest round of meetings with President Yanukovych and the opposition in Kiev.

Following our discussion, the Council adopted comprehensive Conclusions in which we expressed alarm over the human rights situation, including violence, cases of missing persons, torture and intimidation and deplored the deaths and injuries sustained on all sides. The Council called on all actors to refrain from violence and dissociate themselves from radical actions. We recalled that demonstrations should be pursued by peaceful means.

The Council made clear that the authorities should take all necessary measures to respect and protect the fundamental rights of Ukrainian citizens and that the continuous targeting of organisers and participants of peaceful protesters as well as of journalists must be stopped immediately. We have urged the authorities to investigate all acts of violence in a transparent and impartial manner and bring the perpetrators to justice. The current atmosphere of impunity which allows for such acts to take place must be addressed.

While the Council welcomed recent steps, in particular the decision on 28 January by the Ukrainian Parliament to revoke the laws which unduly restricted the exercise of fundamental freedoms, we also indicated that further efforts are necessary to find a durable solution to the current political crisis. We have urged all sides to seek, though an inclusive dialogue, a democratic solution that would meet the aspirations of the Ukrainian people.

As the Conclusions state, the Union remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s reform course. While the details have yet to be worked out and agreed, the EU is ready to further pursue its efforts with the international community and international financial institutions to assist Ukraine, in line with well-established conditions, to find a sustainable way out of its difficult economic situation.

More generally, the EU has an important role to play in encouraging all sides to end the violence, engage in serious and inclusive dialogue and show willingness to compromise. As High Representative Ashton has already stressed, the EU will act as facilitator and not as a mediator. I want to take this opportunity to commend the High Representative for her tireless efforts on behalf of the EU and indeed the Ukrainian people.

I believe that the OSCE and Council of Europe also have potentially important roles to play in facilitating a negotiated way out of the crisis. Following his visit to Kiev, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights has found that excessive force was used against protesters by law enforcement officers and others working with them in recent months. I have put on record my own shock at the loss of life in Ukraine and that I have been appalled at reports of torture and other severe human rights abuses perpetrated by the security services. I strongly agree with the Commissioner that it is important to prevent any further violence and to ensure accountability for the serious human rights violations which have already occurred. The Foreign Affairs Council encouraged the Government of Ukraine to appoint without delay its member to the Council of Europe’s Advisory Panel which will investigate the violent incidents during the protests and which could be an effective mechanism in helping to defuse tensions.

In relation to the particular point raised by the Deputy regarding the Eastern Partnership, I would recall that its purpose is to support reforms in the countries of the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood and promote closer political association and economic integration with the EU. This is a long term project and in spite of many challenges, it is important to acknowledge the progress that has already been made in developing the Eastern Partnership. Both Georgia and Moldova will sign Association agreements with the EU later this year. The benefits of the Eastern Partnership are for all the countries of the Eastern Neighbourhood, however, including those which have not chosen, or do not fulfil the conditions, to conclude Association Agreements. The EU will be considering over the next few months how some of the benefits of the Eastern Partnership can be extended to these countries.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress arising from the Geneva two conference on Syria; if he will outline the most recent discussions at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in relation to these talks; if there has been any recent progress in providing much needed additional humanitarian aid for Syria and neighbouring countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8016/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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61. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the European Union and the international community in general continue to use its influence to protect the civilian population in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8577/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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64. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total indicated death toll arising from the ongoing conflict in Syria; if sufficient efforts continue to be made to bring about a cessation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8580/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated loss of life in respect of the civilian population in the course of the ongoing strikes in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8581/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 61, 64 and 65 together.

The second round of discussions in the Geneva II Conference began on 10 February. Regrettably, there has been little progress to date though both sides have stated their willingness to discuss the original terms of the Geneva communiqué and see how it may begin to be implemented. To this end, the Syrian opposition led by the Syrian National Coalition have circulated a set of principles for a political settlement but the Syrian regime has to date been unwilling to engage on this or any discussion of a transitional authority as provided for in the Geneva communiqué.

Joint Special Representative Brahimi made a statement to the press last weekend indicating that progress remains blocked as the Assad regime is refusing to negotiate on a key principle of the Geneva communiqué, the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers. He will make a full report to the Security Council this week. I have repeatedly stated that I see no prospect for any military solution to this conflict and that the Geneva principles remain the best basis for a negotiated end to this conflict. If the present opportunity is missed, the future viability of the Syrian state may be at risk.

The ongoing crisis in Syria and the Geneva II negotiations were discussed at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council which I attended on 10 February. Issues raised included the humanitarian crisis in Syria and across the region and the prospects for a humanitarian resolution at the UN Security Council which I have consistently called for and which now has full EU support; the regional impact of the Syrian conflict; the renewal of the Geneva II negotiations and the chemical weapons destruction programme. All Member States expressed concerns about the appalling impact of this crisis and a shared determination to support the Geneva II process and Joint Special Representative Brahimi in his efforts.

At the 15 January Syria donor conference in Kuwait, Minister of State Costello met with UN , Valarie Amos, to discuss impediments to the humanitarian efforts on the ground in Syria. The conflict is Syria is intensifying, with the latest reports indicating a total death toll estimated at 136,000 and over 9.3 million in need of humanitarian assistance. They agreed that, while reaching 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.

Minister of State Costello pledged a further €12 million in Kuwait. This additional pledge brings Ireland’s overall commitment over the period 2011 to 2014 to €26.011 million. International donors pledged US$2.3 billion of the US$6.5 billion UN Agencies are appealing for to cover life saving humanitarian needs of 9.3 million people in Syria and neighbouring countries. I welcome the recent announcement that €5.3 million of the €12 million pledged in Kuwait is now being disbursed by Irish Aid to provide emergency food, water, health and protection to victims of the conflict.