Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take the opportunity to wish the Tánaiste and his Government colleagues well in the next five to six months, which will be a critical time for Ireland and for the European Union. I welcome the Tánaiste's initial response to today's speech by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron MP. We have our views on that and of course we cherish our relationship with the United Kingdom. It is important to state that it is an evolving situation and our views on the matter will form over the coming months and years. The responses I have read from employers in Britain have been largely negative about the proposition to be put to the British public after the next general election if the party in power at present returns with an overall majority. It was good that the Tánaiste took the opportunity to reaffirm and restate Ireland's commitment and determination to be at the centre of decision-making in the European Union because it is in our interest and in the interest of jobs, and our economy and society.

The Tánaiste said that Ireland had joined 25 other member states in endorsing a letter by the Swiss mission in New York to the president of the SECCO formally asking for a referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. What is the status of that at the moment?

I join the Tánaiste in condemning terrorist activities in Algeria. I commend him and his staff on the support they provided to the McFaul family during what was clearly an extremely difficult time.