Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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109. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps which have been taken by Ireland and the EU to ensure a stable and representative new government develops in Syria that respects minorities and the rule of law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57162/25]

Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the recent elections in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56949/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 139 together.

Syria remains in a state of transition, with the new authorities working to establish agreements and set out pathways towards inclusive governance while ensuring justice and accountability. Ireland and our EU partners are committed to supporting the emergence of a Syria that is equal, inclusive, and ensures the protection and integration of all communities.

It was welcome to see steps towards forming a stable and representative new government through the holding of parliamentary elections earlier this month. These are the first elections to take place since the fall of the Assad regime and were undertaken under a temporary electoral system. Two-thirds of the members were elected by representative electoral colleges and the balance will be appointed by President Al Sharaa.

There has been broad acceptance that these elections, limited as they were, represented a step forward for Syria. I hope that those elected and still to be appointed can play a positive role in rebuilding Syria.

I was pleased to see that International observers were invited to monitor the process and that it had included multiple consultative phases, mechanisms for appeal, and steps to increase women's participation and diverse representation. President Al Sharaa has a further opportunity through his nominations to increase the representation of women and minority groups.

It was disappointing that security concerns and lack of agreement with the local populations in Suwayda, Raqqa and Hasakah meant that voting was postponed there. Syria continues to differ from a legacy of sectarian and ethnic tensions, economic deprivation and humanitarian need, and external interference, in particular in the South West from Israel but also from Turkey in the North East and worrying reports of increasing Iranian influence. Overcoming this legacy includes challenging negotiations with the different religious and ethnic groupings to ensure an inclusive transition for all Syrians.

We welcome the return of Syria to international and regional organisations and its international engagement are important steps towards national stability.

Ireland pledged over €22 million to the Syrian crisis at the Brussels Conference in March this year and supported the early lifting of EU economic sanctions. The lifting of sanctions provides an opportunity for the Syrian people to access economic opportunities that will help them to rebuild their country.

Syria is discussed regularly at the EU Foreign Affairs Council and Ireland and its EU partners will continue to monitor progress and developments on the ground.