Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2015
3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will stress the urgency at European Union and United Nations levels in realising a political solution to the crisis in Syria; and if he will ensure commitments made on humanitarian aid are realised. [8342/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWill the Minister stress at both European Union and United Nations level the urgency of realising a political solution to the Syrian crisis and ensuring that commitments made on humanitarian aid are realised?
Ireland continues to support efforts by the EU and the UN to promote a political resolution of the current conflict in both Syria and Iraq. We have repeatedly stressed that only a political solution can achieve a sustainable peace in Syria. We will also continue to address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and provide urgent assistance and support to the civilian populations within Syria and Iraq who have been displaced or suffered violations of their rights at the hands of ISIS and other extremists.
Ireland is working to support the efforts led by the UN special envoy, Staffan di Mistura, to promote a political resolution based on the Geneva principles and which provides for transition to an agreed, democratic form of government and the holding of genuinely free national elections in Syria. Mr. di Mistura discussed measures to address the acute security and humanitarian situation, as well as possible steps to move towards a political process, with foreign Ministers in Brussels at a December 2014 meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.
The EU is the main donor of humanitarian relief in Syria, having provided a total of €3 billion since the outset of the conflict. Ireland has already provided almost €29 million in humanitarian support to Syria since 2011, delivered through UN partners and NGOs, and I have recently approved a further €1.8 million in funding to UNICEF and UNHCR to support refugees and child victims of the conflict. In addition, we have provided €1.15 million in funding to our partner organisations responding to the crisis in neighbouring Iraq. Ireland has consistently advocated for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, as well as for respect by all parties of international humanitarian law.
Last week, during my visit to the Middle East region, I had the opportunity to meet in Beirut with Ireland’s honorary consul in Syria and he briefed me on developments there.
The key word is "urgency". There is no doubt that one crisis will overtake another. Gaza was overtaken by Syria, Syria is now being overtaken by the crisis in Ukraine and I have no doubt that the next one will be Libya. I had the opportunity, with the foreign affairs committee and at the invitation of GOAL, to visit the Turkish-Syrian border recently and we saw the extent of the humanitarian aid. I want to acknowledge the Syrian employees of NGOs who are working inside Syria. We understand that only 46% of the aid that has been pledged in the humanitarian area has been realised, and some of the biggest culprits in this regard are the Gulf states. There should be a stronger effort to ensure that all the humanitarian aid that has been promised is delivered. There is a particular issue with regard to the use of barrel bombs. This is an issue that must be addressed at the UN and at EU level. A strong condemnation of the war crimes by all parties in the conflict - war crimes that include rape, violence and the use of children as soldiers - is necessary.
I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for her continued engagement on this matter and for raising these issues regularly in the House and beyond. She is right. One of the most difficult features of the crisis in Syria is that many of those who are most in need are beyond the reach of humanitarian aid. Many are unable to receive it and many are only receiving it on a sporadic basis. Both the Syrian Government and rebel factions are using siege tactics and heavy weaponry in populated areas. The operating environment is extremely volatile and insecure, particularly in areas controlled by the opposition. It is important that we continue to welcome the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2165 last July, which authorised the delivery of humanitarian aid by the United Nations and its partners across the border into Syria, even without the consent of the Assad regime. The United Nations has been delivering cross-border aid where local conditions make this feasible. Ireland continues to work through a variety of channels, including our established United Nations partners, NGO partners, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to ensure that Irish aid can be delivered across the borders and conflict lines to those who most need it.
Where ISIS is controlling borders, either it will not allow humanitarian aid in, it will take half of it itself or it will look for some monetary contribution. That is just perpetuating what is going on. There is an issue with the Lebanese Government with regard to the issuing of registrations for NGOs, particularly the international NGOs. They are the ones who have vast experience. They can train the other NGOs from the country, so it is vital that they get in. Perhaps that is something the Minister could address.
There is another point about refugees. The Minister has seen for himself the extent of the pressure on countries such as Turkey and Lebanon. While Turkey can absorb it to some extent because of its size, Lebanon cannot. Turkey has received ten times as many Syrian refugees as all the EU member states together. The EU member states could be doing more on the refugee situation.
We are a main player when it comes to humanitarian aid. That is completely recognised. However, we constantly hear that Ireland is also a political force. Sometimes I do not think we realise the importance of our voice at both EU and UN level.
I stress the importance of ensuring an adequate level of humanitarian aid to the region. I acknowledge what the Deputy has said with particular reference to refugees in Lebanon, in Jordan and in the wider region. In December, the United Nations released its 2015 Syria crisis appeal plan, requesting over $8.4 billion to meet the needs of millions of people in Syria and across the region. So far this year, I have approved funding of €1.8 million to alleviate suffering in Syria and neighbouring countries, but I acknowledge that we need to do more, as the Deputy has said. In this regard, a donor pledging conference will take place in Kuwait at the end of March. I am pleased to announce that the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Sean Sherlock, will attend. He will have an opportunity, on behalf of the Irish Government, to set out how we intend to target our assistance to Syria and the region this year. Ireland will also make a pledge in respect of how much funding we can commit to the Syria crisis in 2015. We are currently considering how Ireland can best respond to the needs there while remaining mindful of the huge needs of people affected by other humanitarian crises across the world, in Africa and elsewhere.
