Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are joined by Deputy John Brady, who is welcome. Before I call Deputy Brady to make some observations and ask questions of the ambassador, I want to briefly raise the issue of Cyprus. It is a long-standing issue of controversy going back to 1974. In particular, I want to raise with the ambassador the issue that, on the anniversary of the invasion, during a visit to northern Cyprus, President Erdoan raised the issue of the fenced-off area of Varosha. This is a matter of some controversy. I and the Irish Government are concerned at recent actions in regard to Varosha. The ambassador states that dialogue is the only way forward and that any long-term settlement can only be achieved by a dialogue and by people around the table by way of talks. Again, the Irish Government would encourage progress towards the achievement of a long-term settlement and the achievement of a bizonal, bicommunal federal state on the island of Cyprus in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. I ask the ambassador how he would see a Turkish contribution towards that, having regard to what, on the face of it, would appear to be action on Varosha that would seem to fly in the face of what might be described as diplomatic dialogue.