Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy Higgins in regard to the language used towards the conclusion of the war, that is, the phrase "the elimination of terrorists". For some time, the Government and the EU have said there cannot be a military solution to this issue and that, ultimately, a conflict resolution process must be put in place.

A fundamental humanitarian crisis has been caused as a result of the conflict. It is an enormous undertaking in that approximately 200,000 people require assistance and it is expected that 50,000 more people will look for assistance in the coming days. I agree with Deputy Higgins that the Sri Lankan Government must fulfil its obligations under international law to protect all people in its jurisdiction.

We were disappointed by what happened in the UN. The Sri Lankan Government used every possible means to avoid a special session and an inquiry by the UN Human Rights Council. I accept the point the Deputy made in regard to the effectiveness of the UN in this context and the intervention by Ban Ki-moon. The exclusion of the press and the World Food Programme is unacceptable and creates a difficulty in ascertaining who bears the brunt of the responsibility.

With regard to the Deputy's last question, if one calls for an international inquiry and if one pre-empts its outcome, there is always a danger that one somehow undermines the credibility of the process. I accept governments have responsibilities in terms of how they conduct conflicts and engage. One expects more of governments in terms of adherence to international and humanitarian law and so on.

There has been a military victory but that, in itself, is of little use if the underlying causes of the conflict are not dealt with in a comprehensive fashion. Our sense is that to date, there has been an absence of a post-conflict resolution strategy on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government. That is urgently required and we are very keen to pursue that issue as a country and through the European Union.

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