Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Was there any criticism of the Turkish army moving into parts of Syria? Does the Tánaiste see it as an escalation of the conflict in the area? I did not see it mentioned in the response.

With regard to Turkey, another parliamentary election is due to take place on 24 June. Was this discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council? Turkey is sliding into authoritarianism. We know that 12 MPs of one left-wing party, the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party, are in prison. Their candidate for the election has been in prison since November 2016 on spurious and politically motivated charges. Was it discussed? Is there a view on it?

I did not get an opportunity to raise the issue of the hooded men today. The Tánaiste is aware of the case. The last time I raised it with him he said he was still studying the findings. Will the Irish Government respond? How will it respond? Will it appeal the decision? What is the next step? We all realise the men involved are getting older. Some of them have died. Anyone who reads some of the narrative concerning what was done to those men will know it was defined at the time as inhuman and degrading treatment. Anyone who looks at it today would say it was torture. I think that is the view of the Irish Government. It seemed to be the view of the judge from Ireland with regard to the outcome of the decision. I am interested in the Tánaiste's view on it and what the Irish Government will do. We have until 20 June for a decision to be made. There is huge expectation by the men and their families that the Irish Government will continue to support their case.