Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to reports that authorities in Lebanon are forcefully returning Syrians to Syria; the steps that have been taken at EU level regarding the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42149/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The conflict in Syria has caused over 5.6 million people to flee Syria since 2011, the majority to neighbouring countries in the region. The Syria crisis has persisted for eight and a half years, and refugees have had to remain in neighbouring countries far longer than expected. Lebanon has welcomed a particularly large number of refugees from Syria, reportedly up to 1.5 million people. This number is equivalent to a third of the country’s population, and is the highest concentration per capita of refugees in the world. This has placed a huge strain on Lebanon’s resources and public services, making daily life a struggle for many refugees and indeed for host communities also.

Following rising concerns in Lebanon over the provision of public services, and with the Lebanese economy under severe pressure, there has been a growing wish in Lebanon that Syrian refugees would be in a position to return home. In May 2019 Lebanese authorities announced a decision to deport all Syrians who entered Lebanon irregularly after 24 April. I understand that Lebanon has already deported over 2,700 refugees to Syria under this decision.

The EU recognises the right to safe, voluntary and dignified returns, as an individual right of refugees and internally displaced persons, and returns should be based on an accurate picture of the conditions in the cuontry of origin. Refugee returns require a sustainable and safe environment, rehabilitation and the restoration of national protection structures. Ireland shares the position of the European Union and UNHCR, that the conditions for safe and dignified returns are not currently met in Syria. Nor is it possible to monitor the reintegration of Syrian refugees back into their country of origin, to ensure their continued safety.

Ireland continues to show solidarity with refugee hosting countries, and has been a committed donor to the humanitarian needs of affected populations. This year, Ireland provided just over €6m in direct assistance to UN agencies and NGOs operating in Lebanon. Our partners undertake programmes to provide basic assistance needs, as well as to provide resilience and livelihood opportunities for people living in protracted displacement. A further €2.95m of funding earmarked by Ireland to the World Food Programme (WFP) for the Syria Region in 2019, has been disbursed in Lebanon.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the safeguards that have been put in place by the EU to assist persons forced to flee Syria to neighbouring countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42150/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Syrian conflict has created one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time, causing more than 5.6 million people to flee their country. Neighbouring countries who have been hosting millions of refugees, particularly Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, are under immense strain as services and resources are stretched to breaking point. The military action by Turkey in north-east Syria which began on 9 October risks exacerbating the situation with further displacements.  

The EU is a key actor in responding to the Syrian crisis, and works with governments, the UN and with civil society across the region to provide support for refugees and host communities. The EU hosted the third conference on "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region" in March 2019. The Conference renewed the political, humanitarian and financial commitment of the international community to support the Syrian people, and the neighbouring countries most affected by the conflict.  Pledges by participants amounted to €6.2 billion for 2019, and multi-year pledges of close to €2.1 billion. Ireland pledged €25 million at the Conference, bringing our total funding for the Syria crisis to over €143 million since 2012 – our largest ever response to any single crisis. 

In total, the EU and its Member States have mobilised almost €17 billion since 2012 for humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance to support Syrians inside the country and in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Egypt. This figure includes a 2019 pledge of €2.57 billion from the EU Budget.

EU support is channelled through a range of partners including UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the World Food Programme, local and international NGOs, as well as EU Trust Funds. The EU’s partners provide those in need with humanitarian supplies and access to urgently-needed health, education, water, and sanitation services, as well as cash-based assistance for Syrians affected by the crisis. 

Since its establishment in December 2014, a significant share of the EU’s support to help Syrian refugees has been provided through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, which is focussed on an integrated EU aid response to address longer-term resilience for Syrian refugees, as well as easing pressure on host communities and their administrations. The EU also funds the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRIT), which aims to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey and to bring about long-term sustainable improvements in their health, education and self-reliance.  

Ireland and the EU have been clear in our support for those Syrian refugees who wish to return to their homes. However, we believe that any returns must be voluntary, dignified and safe, and based on an accurate picture of the conditions at home. 

I discussed the situation in Syria with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday. We condemned Turkey’s military action, which seriously undermines the stability and the security of the whole region, and urged Turkey to cease its unilateral military action in North East Syria and to withdraw its forces. Member States also unanimously agreed that they would suspend arms exports to Turkey.  

The EU remains committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. This can be assured only through a genuine political transition in line with UNSCR 2254 and the 2012 Geneva Communique, negotiated by the Syrian parties within the UN-led Geneva process. Ireland will continue to work with the EU to respond to recent developments in north-east Syria, to contribute to the humanitarian effort, and to support the UN-led peace process.