Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy Higgins on the horrific nature of the conflict in Sri Lanka. We brought that to the attention of the Sri Lankan Government. I spoke to the ambassador, who is based in London, in Dublin and we conveyed our views on the undesirable nature of a purely military solution to this situation. Equally, the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam and their methodologies are to be condemned in their use of civilian populations as shields. It is an appalling situation and a humanitarian catastrophe has arisen as a result of the conflict. The UN has a presence on the ground and has accepted the denial of the Sri Lankan Government that it is using cluster munitions. No victims have come forward with injuries consistent with cluster munitions.

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