Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I understand fully the Deputy's remarks underlying the question he has put and the dilemma he has highlighted. One would hope the choice was not so stark. I agree with the clear view of the international community and the European Union that one cannot pull back from the decision of the court or indeed pressurise the court to rescind or reverse its decision. Therefore, the alternative is to put as much pressure as possible on the Sudanese Government to facilitate the return of the NGOs and to facilitate the unhindered activities of those NGOs which still operate at present and which have not been expelled.

I believe the Deputy is correct to identify the issue of the duty to protect and the degree to which Governments can hide behind sovereignty, whereby unspeakable atrocities are committed against people, people die of starvation and so forth. The dilemma arising from the two issues the Deputy has put against each other is not easily reconcilable. In my view, there must be full respect for the international process regarding war crimes and bringing people to justice ultimately. On the other hand, at what stage should the international community intervene in the best interest of the people involved?

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