30 Nov 2016, 16:27
30 November 2016
The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence will tomorrow meet to discuss the current situation in Syria before considering a motion on Turkey.
In Session A, the Committee will meet with a Syrian delegation comprised of Dr Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun – Grand Mufti of Syria, Mr Gregory III Laham – Patriarch of Antioch, East, Alexandria and Jerusalem, Mr Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch – Patriarch of Antioch, Dr Ahmad al Khaddour - Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Dr Bashir Mohammad – Cardiac Surgeon.
In Session B the Committee will hear from Mr. Robin Yassin-Kassab co-author of Burning Country. The Committee will also discuss a motion on Turkey put forward by Mr. Sean Crowe TD.
The meeting will commence at 9.00am in Committee Room 1 tomorrow, Thursday, 1 December 2016.
Committee Chairman, Brendan Smith TD, said “This meeting is one in a series of meetings held by the Joint Committee in their deliberations on the ongoing atrocities in Syria, atrocities which have been repeatedly condemned in the strongest possible terms by the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee, and its predecessor in the 31st Dáil, has held meetings and heard from differing sides since the commencement of this war in 2011 in order to inform Members of the nuances of the political and social climate in Syria.\"
\"This particular engagement affords the Members of the Joint Committee an opportunity to question witnesses on their views and actions. This is not in any way to be seen as condoning those held views and actions.\"
\"The meeting tomorrow also affords the Members of the Joint Committee the opportunity to speak with Robin Yassin-Kabbab co-author of “Burning Country” to give his perspective on the issues.”
“In the second part of our meeting we will consider a motion on the current situation in Turkey, put forward by Sean Crowe TD. This motion addresses the Turkish Government’s action against political opposition, Kurdish civilians, the media, educators, and civil society.”
Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.
The meeting will be broadcast live on Oireachtas TV; Saorview Channel 22; Virgin Media Channel 207; Sky Channel 574; eir Vision Channel 504 and Vodafone Channel 201.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
Ends