Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again welcome the ambassador and his colleagues, and other colleagues from the diplomatic corps. We extend our deep, heartfelt sympathy to him, as a representative of the people of France, the President and the people of France, and the people of Paris in particular. It is a very beautiful, peace-loving city, which has given refuge to so many Irish people for so long. It is a place of refuge, not a place of wholesale murder and mayhem. To the people who died, their families and the wounded, we extend our deepest sympathy.

Ultimately, we will have to solve the issue of ISIS or, as it likes to style itself, Islamic State, which reflects its idea that this state has become a reality. What concerns me is those who are funding Islamic State. The oil is being sold and the proceeds are being used for the murder of people in France and throughout the world, for example, the recent downing of an airliner. Without that funding, ISIS would not be able to carry out its threats to international peace and harmony. The region where all of this is taking place is a troubled one. The actions of ISIS will affect migrants and refugees. It is are somehow trying to implicate refugees and suggest that they are a threat, which is not the case. However, that is the implication.

This is a deeply complex issue which requires a united approach throughout the world. It is regrettable that a Russian military jet was shot down by the Turks. This was not helpful in the context of the fact that they all seem to be working towards one aim, namely, to defeat ISIS-Islamic State. It will be a long process. It will not happen overnight.