Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality
Justice and Home Affairs Council: Discussion
10:40 am
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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This is quite a concern in member states. For example, in Belgium recently there was an attack in which a number of Jewish persons were killed. That was at the Jewish museum in Brussels. Ministers stated that this was an issue of serious concern and remains of the utmost importance, given the numbers who are travelling to Syria. From our own perspective, the point I made is that a small number - approximately 30 individuals - from a Muslim population estimated at 50,000 have travelled from Ireland to the conflict areas. There have been three known fatalities. The Chairman's question about those who go there and return to Ireland is more an operational matter for the Garda. If it were necessary to take action, no doubt the Garda would do so.