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

It is not enough for it to be circulated. If my support is sought for something with which I have a difficulty, it is my right as a member of Parliament to make a decision on that. Nobody consulted me beforehand at all as to whether this was something we should support. Second, I wish to reiterate that I indicated my opposition the moment I saw the text, indicating how strongly I felt about it. I think it is unwise to proceed in that vein.

If somebody wants to call a vote, I will stand by the decision of the vote. I will not be intimidated by anything, but I will abide by the decision of the vote. However, everybody must accept responsibility in this situation. This is a matter that could cause further difficulties for many people outside of this room. This is not about scoring a political point, nor is it about suggesting that we impose our laws or that we follow the laws of another state. This is an amendment calling seriously on the Russian authorities, with a view to seeking an explanation and reassurance. I do not have the power, nor does anybody in this room to imprison anybody as a result of something that may have gone wrong - I do not know whether it did, because I was not there. This is not my duty, because I do not have any information other than what I have heard from the European Parliament, from the OSCE and from the Council of Europe. That is fine. It is condemnation. However, we are not in a quasi judicial situation here and we need to be careful about that and about adopting a position on this kind of situation.

My attitude is that I disagreed strongly with the wording of the motion and I put down an amendment in good faith. I continue to disagree with the wording. I would accept Deputy Byrne's amendments, but I do not intend to have prolonged dialogue on something I felt strongly about in the first place.