Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I begin by paraphrasing the words of Charles Stewart Parnell and say that no man can or should put a halt to the march of a nation. As Deputies Mathews, Harris and others have said, we are in a free Parliament where we can express our view and participate in the democratic process. We have just completed such a process. The Libyan people have begun their march to freedom. This is to be welcomed.

Members have spoken about the reasons France, the United Kingdom or the United States are doing what they are doing. History is laden with wrong decisions.

The geopolitical history of the world is laden with the very bad treatment of people. As a Parliament and as citizens, we must welcome the ability of the people of Libya to have their opinion and to fight for democracy and freedom. I compliment the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Gilmore, and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Creighton, on the work they have done.

We must stand with the people of Libya. The weapons Colonel Gadaffi sent to our country to try to destroy our democracy are being used again in his own country against his own people. As Deputy Mathews said, the Libyan people are a very proud and courageous people who are now, like the people of many other countries in North Africa and the Middle East, beginning to see the benefit of having democracy, which is pure and simple.

It is important that we stand with the Libyan people and protect innocent civilians. Equally, it is important that we build a support structure for democracy. We must learn from the mistakes of the past. I noted the words of Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama when they gave a commitment on the role of the United States and stated they would not send ground troops into Libya. Are we saying to the outside world that what we stand for here is democracy, its rights and its freedoms? If so, how can we stand in the way of the people of many other countries who also aspire to this? This is why it is important that the role of the United Nations is scrutinised.

The UN has moved swiftly in its two resolutions. Looking back to other resolutions passed in 1996 and 2006 concerning the violation of human rights, it is important we give due recognition to the UN, which has been a maligned body throughout the world. In this case, the UN has acted on behalf of people. This is about people - ordinary people who are struggling to survive - and their protection is what democracy should be about. The international community has agreed almost in unison on the ending of the reign of Colonel Gadaffi. Let us consider his record in power and how he has treated people. Are we seriously suggesting we can allow this type of regime to continue? As democrats, we cannot.

The fine addresses given earlier by the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, showed their thought processes and that of the Government. It is in the hands of Colonel Gadaffi to free his people and give them a new beginning by surrendering power and returning it to the people. We need to support the role of the international community because democracy must have a support structure to flourish and cannot be allowed to hang on its own.

It is democracy which is inspiring many people across North Africa and the Middle East in trying to build a new beginning for themselves and their peoples. If one meets and talks to people who are deprived of democracy, they cherish what we have here. While Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, Deputy Dara Murphy, Deputy Peter Mathews, Deputy Thomas Broughan and I all have different viewpoints, we can argue, debate and put our case to the people in a sovereign election, and whether we win or lose, the people decide - they determine the type of Government they want. That is what this debate is about. It is not about the battle for oil or arms - that is too simplistic. Members can nod and say it is that, but it is not. It is about people. As democrats, we must always put the people we represent first. In this case, the people of Libya must be given that right to have a say in how their country is governed.

Let us consider the content of the resolution passed by the UN. It is very much focused on what Members have referred to in almost total unison, namely, the no-fly zone and the seizing of assets. I listened to Deputy Wallace earlier. However, it is not simply about going in and bombing. This is not done lightly. No military person pushes a button lightly. I challenge any Member to come to the House to say that. This is not done arbitrarily. Resolution 1973 is about the ending of the violence perpetrated by Colonel Gadaffi on his own people. He has no legitimacy to continue in government, he has lost the confidence of his people and the reality is the Libyan people would be better off if he was gone. It behoves all of us in the international community to ensure it is done quickly so the Libyan people can flourish in a new beginning.

See this speech in context