Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016
45. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has made any efforts to work with the Russian and Iranian ambassadors regarding the current situation in Syria; if he has discussed with each of those ambassadors their country's role in the current conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30278/16]
View answer60. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way he has made his concerns known to the Russian and Iranian ambassadors here in view of the escalation in the conflict in Syria, particularly the escalation in bombings of civilians, aid convoys, water and electricity supplies; if he has called them to a meeting on these matters; and, if not, when he will do so. [30279/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 60 together.
At my direction, two senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade formally conveyed Ireland's concerns in relation to the human catastrophe that is unfolding in Syria - and in the city of Aleppo in particular - directly to the Russian Ambassador in the clearest possible terms.
Subsequently these concerns were conveyed again to the Ambassador and a senior official in the Russian Foreign Ministry who was visiting Dublin.
It is normal diplomatic practice for a Foreign Minister to have views conveyed to an Ambassador through senior officials, as happened in this case.
My officials have also expressed our concerns in diplomatic contacts with Iranian officials.
I have made my views known publicly on the record in the Oireachtas and at the Foreign Affairs Council, where I worked with my colleagues in crafting a strong statement issued by EU Foreign Ministers following their meeting on 17 October.
Ministers concluded specifically that since the beginning of the offensive by the Assad regime and its allies, notably Russia, the intensity and scale of the aerial bombardment of Aleppo has been clearly disproportionate and the deliberate targeting of hospitals, medical personnel and schools as well as the use of barrel bombs and chemical weapons had caused widespread civilian casualties, including amongst women and children, and may amount to war crimes.
The Council called on Russia to demonstrate through policies and actions all efforts, in order to halt indiscriminate bombing by the Syrian regime, restore a cessation of hostilities, ensure immediate and expanded humanitarian access and create the conditions for a credible and inclusive political transition.
In the course of the Council I participated in a four-hour discussion on Syria which included an exchange of views with the UNSG's Special Envoy on Syria, Staffan de Mistura.
