Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

240. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have met or requested a meeting with the Russian ambassador. [33245/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I met the Russian Ambassador on 24 October to convey my grave concerns at the appalling events in Syria and Aleppo in particular. During the meeting, I urged that Russia use all its influence to end the bombardment of Aleppo and to make every effort to ensure that civilians in Syria are granted full protection of their rights.

I also expressed my disappointment at the lack of progress in the recent Lausanne talks and reaffirmed Ireland’s support for a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process to end the conflict.

I asked Ambassador Peshkov to relay these concerns to his authorities in Moscow.

In addition to my meeting, at my direction, two senior officials in my Department met with the Ambassador on 27 September and again on 10 October. On both occasions they conveyed to him in the clearest terms Ireland’s serious concerns over the horrific situation in Syria.