Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The situation is fluid. As the Deputy mentioned, some spectacular stories are being told in regard to the shocking habits of people associated with the outgoing regime and the movement of assets. There was no discussion of that specific issue at any of the meetings I attended. The recent decision by the Federal Supreme Court in Switzerland in relation to the movement of assets by the Duvalier family may well trigger a general discussion on the matter. Where countries are impoverished by the illegal movement of assets to European soil, any civilised European State should have a view on that which would prevent it happening. To date - I stand to be corrected - I have attended virtually all Foreign Affairs and European Council meetings and there has been no discussion on that matter.

There has not been indepth discussions on Tunisia but, undoubtedly, there will be when the matter turns up on the agenda on 31 January.

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