Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The last paragraph of the ambassador's letter is not acceptable. The ambassador is the representative of his country and he communicates with the Government and not with Parliament. I understand that is the tradition in international relations. For many years both the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Children and Youth Affairs have worked hard and diligently to try to reach bilateral agreement that will be mutually beneficial for so many families in this country and for so many potential children who have been placed for adoption in Russia. It is very unfortunate that the concluding sentence of the letter is in that reply from the ambassador.

I am not quite clear on whether the European Parliament passed a particular motion, However, if there is enough substance to the motion passed by the European Parliament, could we adopt a similar motion or endorse the motion that was agreed by the European Parliament or the particular committee of the Parliament that agreed it? Deputy O'Sullivan made a very rational suggestion that we could amend the motion we originally signed as well as strengthening Deputy Durkan's motion and incorporate the intent of both motions in a new motion. We must send out a clear message on civil and human rights.