Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure what the Taoiseach needs to have clarified as it is a fact that the United States authorities engaged in the surveillance that has been alleged. I note the Taoiseach is not willing to condemn the actions of the United States and chose instead to diminish them by describing them as a matter of concern. They are a matter of very grave concern, which will have serious consequences for our democracy.

It is in these exceptional circumstances that I asked questions about Edward Snowden. While the Taoiseach has confirmed that Mr. Snowden has applied for asylum in Ireland, he brushed off the issue by stating we cannot facilitate him if he is not on our shores. What criteria were used in the cases of the Vietnamese boat people and Bosnian refugees who came here and were correctly taken into this country? Exceptional circumstances require exceptional measures.

I recall that it was deemed sufficiently important to obtain an Irish passport for Tony Cascarino on the grounds of a fictitious grandmother in order that he could be part of Jack's army. A little creativity could be shown on the basis that this young man, who has done democracy a great service, is in serious danger. We have an opportunity to become a world leader in defending human rights and pointing a way forward. I urge the Taoiseach to seriously consider this issue. If Mr. Snowden lands in Ireland, will the Government give him refuge from the undoubted persecution he faces?

See this speech in context