Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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494. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on the air strikes in Syria, if he has voiced his position at European Union level; and if he will outline Ireland's position on the future of President Assad of Syria in any peace talks on the future of Syria. [45189/15]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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503. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on air strikes in Syria; if he has voiced his position at European Union level; and if he will outline Ireland's position on the future of President Assad of Syria in any peace talks on the future of Syria. [45461/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 503 together.

Ireland fully supports the removal of the threat to international peace and security posed by the Daesh, group, consistent with international law. The recent attacks in Paris, Tunisia, Lebanon and elsewhere, including those in which Irish citizens have been murdered and wounded, show that Daesh’s terrorist crimes are an international and indiscriminate phenomenon which does not respect borders or nationality.

The threat posed by international terrorism requires a coordinated response from the international community. An effective response also requires a comprehensive approach which addresses root causes and contributory factors, promotes a counter-narrative, prevents radicalisation, deters and disrupts terrorist travel, addresses terrorist financing and brings perpetrators to justice.

Ireland, in common with all other UN Member States has a duty to implement relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and we have taken steps to do so. These Resolutions include UNSCR 2161 on freezing the funds and other assets of terrorist groupings and UNSCR 2178 on measures to suppress the recruiting, organising, transporting or equipping of individuals who travel to another State in order to perpetrate, plan or participate in terrorist acts or training.

It is for individual States to determine in what way they might best contribute to the concerted international effort underway to tackle the threat posed by DA’ESH and other UN-designated terrorist groups. Security Council resolution 2249 calls upon UN Member States to “take all necessary measures, in compliance with international law, in particular with the United Nations Charter, as well as international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, on the territory under the control of ISIL also known as Daesh, in Syria and Iraq, to redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL also known as Daesh, as well as ANF, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al Qaeda, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the United Nations Security Council, and as may further be agreed by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and endorsed by the UN Security Council, pursuant to the Statement of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) of 14 November, and to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria."

Ireland is not and will not be participating in any international military action to combat Daesh.

Defeating Daesh, cannot be separated from resolving the Syrian conflict. Ireland supports the efforts of the UN to renew political negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communiqué a and the statements of the International Syria Support Group of 30 October and 14 November and urges all parties to take steps to immediately end the all violence, establish a transitional governing body with executive powers and control over Syrian security forces and the implementation of a constitutional reform process which preserves Syria’s pluralistic character. We urge all parties to take steps to end the conflict, support the UN and to commit themselves to a nationwide ceasefire and a negotiated peace agreement.

Ireland, together with its EU partners, made clear in the EU statement of 4 June 2014 that we do not accept the legitimacy of the 3 June Presidential elections held in Syria. These were held under a flawed electoral law which imposed identification requirements that deprived most Syrians living in areas under opposition control of the ability to cast their vote. The law also prevented exiled opposition candidates from standing against President Assad, and blocked access to alternative sources of campaign information. Ireland has co-sponsored a resolution called on the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court and has repeatedly supported the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry, which has made clear that the Assad regime is responsible for the overwhelming majority of attacks against civilians in Syria.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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495. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he condemns the Israeli raid on the Aida refugee camp outside Bethlehem and the perceived total over-reaction of Israeli forces to stone throwing; if he accepts this reaction by Israeli forces will further deter moderate Palestinians from peaceful dialogue; and if he will condemn this action. [45190/15]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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496. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he condemns the treatment of the Palestinian poet, Mr. Ashraf Fayadh, at the hands of the Saudi Arabian Government, on the charge of abandoning his Muslim faith, a crime which warrants a death penalty in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make representations to the Saudi Arabian authorities on this issue. [45192/15]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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504. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations to the relevant authorities over the raid on Aida refugee camp outside Bethlehem and the plight of a Palestinian poet (details supplied) facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. [45462/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 495, 496 and 504 together.

Since the beginning of the current disturbances in the occupied Palestinian territory, I have stressed that any necessary security response by Israeli authorities needed to be both restrained and proportionate. It is essential to reduce tensions, and not to increase the cycle of violence. Other international voices have repeated this call.

Some recent incidents, including the events in Aida camp have contributed to worsening the situation.

We have raised these concerns, in public, at EU discussions and directly with the Israeli authorities, including recent high level diplomatic contacts in both Dublin and Israel. We shall continue to do so.

In relation to Saudi Arabia, I am aware of the case of Ashraf Fayadh. This is a cause for concern both because Mr. Fayadh has been accused of something that is widely regarded as the simple exercise of his right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion, but also because of the death sentence imposed on him.

Ireland strongly condemns the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and works for its suspension and abolition around the world. We have expressed concern about its increased use of late in a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia. Its abolition is one of Ireland’s priorities at the United Nations, including while a member of the Human Rights Council. For example, Ireland made a statement at the Council on 21 September 2015 voicing deep concern in relation to another Saudi Arabian death penalty case.

These and other human rights issues are raised with the Saudi authorities usually in conjunction with our EU partners. Presenting issues in a unified manner ensures greater impact. High Representative Mogherini stated in July that the EU will continue to closely follow the issue of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia in general, and to voice its concern through appropriate diplomatic channels.

My Department will also continue to monitor both the specific case of Mr. Fayadh and the general issue of death sentences in Saudi Arabia.