Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise that I must leave shortly because I must table an amendment elsewhere. I also signed Senator Walsh's motion. I thought that its wording was a bit strong but I was prepared to go along with it. I had heard a number of presentations at the Council of Europe so I knew about the situation before it was raised here.

The letter is totally unhelpful. The views of the committee should be made known to the ambassador but I do not want to create a diplomatic incident. Sending a threatening letter to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade was less than helpful. I want that sentiment conveyed to him in a way that will not create World War III. The point must be made that the letter threatened inter-country adoptions. I know about the issue because I am involved with a number of people who seek to adopt from Russia and I know how long they have had to wait. Anything that would put a spanner in the works in regard to that process would be dreadful.

Deputy Durkan's proposal must go further. He used the term "seeking reassurance" but it could mean anything. That provision will not give us the answers we seek and the same applies to the phrase "that any issues arising are fully investigated". We know the issues and we know the issues we support are being investigated. I shall step back from the latter issue but Deputy Durkan's proposal needs to be a little stronger.