Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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492. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role, if any, of the Government to accelerate a Syrian peace process and consideration of proposals to bring forward a Syrian governance structure with full protection for all ethnic and religious groupings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22674/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has been a supporter of the UN’s efforts to achieve an end to the conflict in Syria, based on the principles of the 2012 Geneva Communique. The UN, with the support of the members of the International Syria Support Group, is continuing to work to find a sustainable political solution. Ireland is not a member of the International Syria Support Group.

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 which will protect the rights of the Syrian people and preserve the pluralistic character, unity and sovereignty of a free Syria at peace.

Ireland’s total humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Syrian crisis will reach €62 million by the end of 2016. This is Irish Aid’s largest response to a single crisis in recent years. Ireland’s funding to the Syria crisis is channelled via the UN, Red Cross and NGOs, and is spent on priority needs which include food aid, water and sanitation, shelter, education and protection (including child protection and prevention of gender-based violence).