Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I know that. I know Fine Gael was told this was the case, as we were on many occasions, by our embassy officials in particular.

This is an important day and I regret we do not have more time to discuss this matter. I am open to the possibility of returning to the Chamber as the debate in the United States progresses. Perhaps we could organise this between the Whips. I welcome the all-party support for the Bill. When I contacted all the spokespersons for foreign affairs, who are my counterparts in this matter, each of them was extremely supportive in principle of what we were doing.

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