Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. As I believe it is her first time before the Oireachtas committee, I wish her well. Hers is a difficult position. We all understand that, particularly in doing our work here on the Oireachtas committee. I congratulate her and wish her well for the future.

To follow the Chairman's question on the Minister's report on foreign fighters, the Minister stated that there are 2,000 Europeans travelling to the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. My problem is that at a European level - I am seeking answers not on the policing aspect but on the political dimension to the meeting - some European Union member states encouraged such persons to go and bring down Assad in Syria. We cannot have it both ways, with 17 year old children being radicalised and encouraged to go and bring down a particular regime. Ireland needs to be more assertive with a different, independent foreign policy line to stop what is going on. We do not want to see, as the Minister stated, that 30 individuals from Ireland have left for the conflict zone. Many of us suspect their number is higher. I would have concerns. These are the points the Minister should raise at a European level. Will she do so in the future?