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Foreign Conflicts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (70)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue to be made to bring about a cessation of violence and the provision of support for aid workers in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1937/13]

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Written answers

The search for a solution to the conflict in Syria, which by the UN’s estimate has to date cost up to 60,000 lives, is a key foreign policy priority at present for the European Union and for Ireland. It will remain a key major priority during the period of our EU Presidency. Ireland will lend full support to High Representative Ashton in the efforts she is making on behalf of the EU to achieve an end to the violence and to promote a political resolution. In particular, Ireland and its EU partners are fully supportive of the work of UN/Arab League Joint Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, who is endeavouring to get some form of political process underway.. Special Representative Brahimi is working closely with the US, Russia, the Arab League and others in the international community to revive the Geneva Communiqué of last June which foresees the establishment of a transitional Government responsible for mapping a way towards transition and the ending of all repression and violence in Syria. Ireland and the EU will also cooperate closely with other international partners as we work to address the dire humanitarian situation in Syria and to mitigate the plight of thousands of refugees and millions of ordinary Syrian people in need of assistance. In this regard, I am acutely aware of the particular risks taken daily by aid workers operating inside Syria. This has been graphically witnessed over the recent months with the increased targeting of humanitarian actors including attacks on civilians, medical personnel and facilities, aid convoys and humanitarian workers. Such attacks on humanitarian personnel and operations are completely unacceptable. More must be done to break this vicious cycle of violence which is in absolute breach of international humanitarian law.

During our Presidency of the EU, we will continue to emphasise the need for all parties to the conflict to facilitate humanitarian access and aid delivery to people in need, to ensure the neutrality of humanitarian aid and to abide by international humanitarian law, as outlined in the Good Humanitarian Donorship initiative and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid.

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