Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are two ways to approach a subject and different strengths apply in different cases.

In dealing with other jurisdictions, my experience is that large countries, in particular, do not respond well to an aggressive approach. I regard the original motion as overly aggressive, condemnatory, conclusive and similar to the way in which a judge comes to a conclusion in court. We are not in that format, we are not in session as a court and we do not have that authority. It is a matter for the Russian authorities to respond to the motion and it will have the same effect through using different language. By seeking reassurance, we are saying we want to know exactly what happened and how it is the authorities propose to answer. That is what the motion means without spelling out that we will condemn Russian authorities for atrocities. Approaching matters in that fashion will get us nowhere and will achieve nothing. The purpose of the exercise is to achieve results.

I have no difficulty postponing the discussion to next week but, regardless of who is accused of abuse, we should take the best approach to achieve the maximum results from our point of view.