Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Syrian Conflict

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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493. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, the European Union, the United Nations and the international community in general continues to focus on meeting the requirements of hardship, human rights deprivation, hunger, and the threat of genocide arising from the situation in Syria; if any specific steps will be taken to safeguard the civilian population either through the provision of safe havens or no-fly zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45673/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Ending the catastrophe which has befallen Syria, and which has imposed enormous burdens on the States neighbouring Syria, is critical to the stability of the Middle East region, the security and safety of the Syrian people and their neighbours. This has been a key priority for Ireland and its EU partners in recent years.

I welcome the announcements of 30 October and 14 November by international stakeholders, including the European Union and a number of EU Member States, in Vienna on the launching of negotiations, the holding of elections, working for a nationwide ceasefire and supporting unimpeded humanitarian access across Syria. I call on all parties to support the UN’s efforts and to commit themselves to work sincerely and with urgency for a nationwide ceasefire and a negotiated peace agreement. Ireland strongly endorses 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.

While I am appalled by the actions of the Assad regime and convinced that a political transition is needed, I want to make clear that, ultimately, it is the Syrian people’s right to decide on Syria’s future national leadership.

Ireland has pledged that our support for the Syrian people will reach over €42 million by the end of 2015.

Any decision on the possible establishment of a mandated safe haven or no-fly zone in Syria is a matter which falls to the UN Security Council. There is little prospect that any proposal for such a resolution will be approved by the Council at this time.

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