Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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348. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he in conjunction with his EU colleagues can continue to combat the rise of ISIS in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32086/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism, and particularly by Daesh, has been and remains high on the EU agenda.

Foreign Ministers have consistently underlined that ultimately there will be no defeat of Daesh without a political solution to the crisis in Syria. This is reflected particularly in the comprehensive conclusions on a 'Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Daesh threat', which were adopted by the Council in May this year. Foreign Ministers have also focused on the contribution that the EU can make through external action to preventing and countering terrorism. Engagement with third countries to prevent violent extremism and to strengthen their capacity to detect and prevent terrorism, in full compliance with international law and human rights, is at the heart of the EU's strategy and is reflected in a substantial increase in assistance to third countries in this respect.

The EU's approach is guided by, and is consistent with, the approach taken by the UN to countering Daesh and by the principles and measures set out in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including UNSCR 2161 (2014) on freezing funds and other assets of terrorist groups, and UNSCR 2178 (2014) on measures to suppress the recruiting, organising, transporting or equipping of individuals who travel to another State to plan or carry out terrorist acts or training.

The UN Secretary General's comprehensive Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, presented earlier this year, and his related reports are an important and welcome contribution to addressing the threat posed by Daesh, and to highlighting the measures being taken against them in areas such as countering their financing, preventing and disrupting the travel of foreign terrorist fighters, countering recruitment and preventing violent extremism.

Ireland supports the comprehensive approach being taken at EU level to preventing and countering terrorism. At meetings of the Council I have stressed the need to tackle underlying factors that contribute to radicalisation and terrorism and in particular the importance of the link between security and development. I have also emphasised the need to ensure a joined-up approach in relation to the discussions of Foreign Ministers and those of our Justice and Home Affairs counterparts.

Increasing the effectiveness of information and intelligence-sharing and enhancing border security have been priority themes at recent meetings of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council. A series of measures is being rolled out to strengthen cooperation and to develop the EU's legal framework for information-sharing, combatting terrorism and controlling illegal firearms. Ireland is fully engaged in pursuing these developments.