Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
108. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a number of members of the Syrian media being trapped at the Jordanian border; the efforts being made by the EU and the international community to ensure their safe passage out of Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33181/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence in the south west of Syria, including air strikes by the regime and its allies, which has forced tens of thousands of civilians from their homes in recent weeks and destroyed critical infrastructure including several health facilities. According to the most recent UN estimates, up to 203,500 people remain displaced across south-west Syria. The majority of these, around 140,000 people, are currently located in Quneitra province, some in close proximity to the Golan Heights area, with limited access to humanitarian assistance. I am aware of the reports that these figures include a number of journalists. The United Nations and humanitarian partners have mobilised a response to the situation in southwest Syria, both cross-border and from within Syria, reaching tens of thousands of people with critical life-saving assistance. Ireland supports the UN and its partners in this vital work through its contributions to the humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. Since 2012, Ireland has provided over €110 million in humanitarian assistance, making this Ireland’s largest contribution to a single crisis in recent years. In 2017 alone, Ireland provided almost €25.5 million to the humanitarian response. At the 2018 Brussels Donor conference, Ireland pledged to contribute a further €25 million in 2018 and almost €22 million of this has been disbursed so far. Through its annual contributions to the EU Institutions, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response in Syria. The protection of civilians is an obligation on all parties to conflict, and I call on all parties to the fighting in southwest Syria to take the necessary steps to ensure that civilians are not harmed. I also take this opportunity to reiterate my call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the respect of the de-escalation agreement and full humanitarian access to all Syrians in need.
Ultimately however, the human suffering caused by the Syrian conflict can only be brought to an end by reaching a sustainable political solution. Ireland and the EU fully support UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura in his efforts to lead political negotiations to end the conflict based on the 2012 Geneva Communique and UN Security Council resolution 2254. The EU provides direct assistance to the UN-led Geneva peace talks and has launched, in coordination with the UN, an initiative to develop political dialogue with key actors from the region to identify common ground. Ireland and the EU firmly believe that there can be no military solution to the Syria crisis and will continue to support the UN-led efforts to bring about a comprehensive, sustainable and inclusive resolution of the crisis.
