Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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894. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which realistic efforts continue to be made to bring about a ceasefire in Syria; the degree to which the European Union is actively supporting any such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38400/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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899. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to engage with the various parties in Syria, with a view to bringing about a ceasefire and settlement, and the elimination of human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38405/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 894 and 899 together.

Ireland and its EU partners strongly endorse the efforts of the United Nations to renew peace negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communique principles, in particular the ending of violence, the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and a constitutional reform process which would protect Syria’s multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian character.

I believe that there must also be legal accountability for victims of the Syrian conflict and in 2014 we co-sponsored a resolution called for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

I deeply regret that the Security Council did not pass that resolution and persistent division in the Security Council has failed to protect the Syrian people from grave war crimes, including mass murder, denial of humanitarian assistance to civilians, use of indiscriminate force against the civilian population and the illegal use of weapons of mass destruction.

Ireland is an active member of the ACT (Accountability, Coherence and Transparency) Group which is promoting reforms to the Security Council’s working methods to improve its effectiveness. The ACT recently proposed a Code of Conduct for Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. 104 UN Member States are currently supporting the Code, including nine of the fifteen present members of the Council and three of the five incoming elected members.

While recognising the need for a political transition and an end to the Assad regime, I want to make clear that it is the Syrian people’s right to decide on Syria’s future national leadership.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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895. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union, in conjunction with the United Nations, continues to focus on the activities of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, with particular reference to the persecution of Christians and other persons of different religious beliefs; if any co-ordinated effort is emerging in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38401/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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896. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria continue to benefit from the taking of hostages for ransom; the extent to which cases are documented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 895 and 896 together.

Together with our EU partners, I fully support the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions to address the threat posed to international peace and security by the ISIS group, consistent with international law. In this context, Security Council Resolution 2170 (2014) recalled that “widespread or systematic attacks against any civilian populations because of their ethnic or political background, religion or belief may constitute a crime against humanity” and emphasised “the need to ensure that ISIL” and other groups, including those associated with Al-Qaida, “are held accountable for abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law”.

Ireland has co-sponsored a resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. I regret that this resolution was vetoed by two permanent members of the Council.

I have expressed on many occasions my deep concerns and frustration at the blockages in the Security Council. Ireland is an active member of the ACT (Accountability, Coherence and Transparency) Group which is promoting reforms to the Council’s working methods to improve its effectiveness. The ACT recently proposed a Code of Conduct for Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. 104 UN Member States are currently supporting the Code, including nine of the fifteen present members of the Council and three of the five incoming elected members.

My Department has no specific information on kidnappings by ISIS or ransoms paid on foot of such actions.