Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Tánaiste some direct questions. In the context of his role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I wish him to provide us with an overview of his attitude to what is happening in the world today in respect of a number of issues.

In the first instance, will the Tánaiste indicate whether a there is a war taking place between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims and will he indicate whether it is religious, ideological, tribal or economic in nature? Tragically, millions of people - Christians, Jews, and the members of minority groups in various parts of the world - are caught up in the conflict to which I refer. Could it be said that this war is being fuelled by two major powers, that is, Iran, which takes the side of the Shi'ites, and Saudi Arabia, which takes the side of the Sunnis? I accept that I might be completely misreading the struggles that are taking place and the consequential slaughter of frightening barbarity of human beings on one side or the other. That slaughter includes the dropping of barrel bombs on civilians and the massacre of Sunni troops in Iraq. Kenya is extremely close to our hearts, particularly as we are opening an embassy there, and we are all aware that the son of the former Kenyan ambassador was slaughtered by so-called Muslim extremists. There are struggles in so many countries, including Sudan and the Central African Republic, between Christians and Muslims and terrorist groups are operating out of Mali, Mauritania and elsewhere.

Will the Tánaiste outline his views on what is destabilising global society? Is it overly simplistic to suggest that there is a worldwide struggle for religious supremacy or that both sides in this struggle are supported by a world power? What are the ramifications for Africa in the context of the struggle between the Muslim north and the Christian south in countries such as Nigeria and Niger and elsewhere? I would welcome the Tánaiste's opinion on this matter.