Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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491. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the action being taken by the Government to secure the release of persons (details supplied) in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22673/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The case referred to by the Deputy is one of serious concern.

The identity of the captors of the persons identified by the Deputy cannot be confirmed, but media reports suggest that they may have been handed over to an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.

Ireland does not have the means or capacity to intervene directly in cases of detention inside Syria. Nevertheless, I repeat our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained by the Assad regime for political reasons and for all those held by opposition and terrorist groups in Syria.