Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has made any efforts to work with the Russian and Iranian ambassadors regarding the current situation in Syria; if he has discussed with each of those ambassadors their country's role in the current conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30278/16]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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60. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way he has made his concerns known to the Russian and Iranian ambassadors here in view of the escalation in the conflict in Syria, particularly the escalation in bombings of civilians, aid convoys, water and electricity supplies; if he has called them to a meeting on these matters; and, if not, when he will do so. [30279/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 60 together.

At my direction, two senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade formally conveyed Ireland's concerns in relation to the human catastrophe that is unfolding in Syria - and in the city of Aleppo in particular - directly to the Russian Ambassador in the clearest possible terms.

Subsequently these concerns were conveyed again to the Ambassador and a senior official in the Russian Foreign Ministry who was visiting Dublin.

It is normal diplomatic practice for a Foreign Minister to have views conveyed to an Ambassador through senior officials, as happened in this case.

My officials have also expressed our concerns in diplomatic contacts with Iranian officials.

I have made my views known publicly on the record in the Oireachtas and at the Foreign Affairs Council, where I worked with my colleagues in crafting a strong statement issued by EU Foreign Ministers following their meeting on 17 October.

Ministers concluded specifically that since the beginning of the offensive by the Assad regime and its allies, notably Russia, the intensity and scale of the aerial bombardment of Aleppo has been clearly disproportionate and the deliberate targeting of hospitals, medical personnel and schools as well as the use of barrel bombs and chemical weapons had caused widespread civilian casualties, including amongst women and children, and may amount to war crimes.

The Council called on Russia to demonstrate through policies and actions all efforts, in order to halt indiscriminate bombing by the Syrian regime, restore a cessation of hostilities, ensure immediate and expanded humanitarian access and create the conditions for a credible and inclusive political transition.

In the course of the Council I participated in a four-hour discussion on Syria which included an exchange of views with the UNSG's Special Envoy on Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action Ireland can take to help address the reported war crimes and the continuing humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo and Syria and its surrounds in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30273/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have called repeatedly for those committing crimes against civilians and humanitarians to be held accountable before the International Criminal Court and I repeat that call. There is an urgent need for a credible and independent investigation into claims made by UN SG Ban and others of war crimes committed in Syria.

I continue to press for accountability, both to provide the victims with the hope of redress and in the hope that it will deter those involved from worse atrocities. It is a matter of the gravest concern to me that a permanent member of the Security Council, with a duty to the United Nations to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter could condone or engage in the bombardment on Aleppo, which as the EU stated on 17^thOctober may amount to war crimes.

Together with our EU partners, we remain engaged through the EU in the International Syria Support Group.

As I stated in my address last month to the UN, Ireland remains strongly committed to supporting the efforts of the UN to achieve both an end to the crisis and a sustainable peaceful resolution.

Ireland's response to the extraordinary needs of the Syria people over the last five years has been unprecedented, providing more than €62 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region to date. This support has been channelled through a range of partners, including NGOs, UN organisations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, who are best placed to respond, often by linking with local civil society organisations on the ground to get aid to hard-to-reach areas.