The US President Barack Obama says any action in Syria would be proportional and limited.
He also added that it would degrade the Assad regime's capability to use chemical weapons.
Speaking at the White House in the last few minutes Barack Obama said the use of chemical weapons in Syria poses a national security threat to the US.
The President confirmed that he is confident that Congress would vote in favour of military action and called for a prompt vote on the issue.
During a meeting of congressional leaders at the White House, he said that this action will be limited:
Meanwhile Irish troops who are being deployed to Syria have been given special training in the event of a chemical attack.
115 Irish soldiers are being deployed to the Golan Heights as part of a UN mission to keep the peace between Syria and Israel.
They don’t have any mandate to get involved in the internal conflict in the country.
However, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter says they’re not taking any chances when it comes to chemical attacks:
