Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday was the 15th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by US military forces, facilitated by the then Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government. Since that time, the use of Shannon Airport has been facilitated by the Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government, the Fine Gael-Labour Party Government and now this Government of Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance. It is a very sad tale. As someone writing about the issue this week pointed out, the invasion of Iraq was not just a catastrophe and a shambolic disaster; it was also a crime. Whether they like it or not, history will judge poorly the politicians of the various parties in Ireland who have facilitated the use of Shannon Airport for the destruction of Iraq and other countries since then.

When Ministers go to Europe, I get the impression that they do not really challenge the unquestioning support for the US military machine. We do not seem to be overly concerned about the fact that 17 million people in Yemen currently lack food and 6.8 million are at risk of famine. The horrific scenes taking place in that country beggars belief but I am not convinced our Government is raising it as a serious issue of concern, whether it is the EU support for the Americans' involvement in the region or the direct role of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, UAE.

The EU is seriously preoccupied with the role of Russia in Syria. The number of people in this country who have bought into the mainstream media agenda where Russia, Iran and Hezbollah are the real criminals now that Ghouta has been bombed is mind-boggling.

Myself and Deputy Clare Daly were in Damascus a few months ago where bombs were exploding every five minutes. Most of the car bomb attacks in Damascus and the constant shelling across the centre of the capital for the past four years have come from Islamic forces in Ghouta, especially from the Duma district. That is hardly surprising. Only last week, Robert Fisk was writing about this and he stated:

Here are some cruel facts about the sieges of Ghouta. They have become buried in the real rubble and blood and the sham and apocalyptic expressions of horror from the West.

Yet how can we complain when we will not ourselves deal with the armed Islamist opposition to Assad ...

After all, we've been arming these people for years!

The west has armed Al-Nusra. It has armed al-Qaeda, and it has added dramatically to the incredible slaughter that has taken place in Syria. The Irish Government might actually raise the issue that if we want to stop the horror of what is going on in Syria, it is time to talk to all sides.

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