Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)

This is my first opportunity to speak in the 31st Dáil but I will say more about this on the next occasion as this is a serious subject. We must deal with it in a solemn manner. The response of the international community to the Libyan crisis has been clear and vigorous. The United Nations Security Council reacted swiftly in adopting Resolution 1970 on 26 February which implemented an immediate arms embargo, an assets freeze and a travel ban against Colonel Gadaffi and members of his family and regime. The Security Council also referred developments in Libya to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to initiate an investigation in light of clear evidence of widespread systematic abuses by the regime against the Libyan population.

Events in Libya have precipitated a major humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 300,000 people, mainly foreign workers, fleeing across the border to neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt. This development could create volatility in neighbouring countries. To its credit, the Government, through Irish Aid, has committed €600,000 in aid to deal with the humanitarian crisis. It is regrettable that many international aid agencies have been prevented from entering western Libya to provide aid and assistance to the population upon which conflict has been inflicted.

United Nations Resolution 1973, which was adopted on 17 March, demanded an immediate and complete ceasefire and authorised the use of all necessary measures to protect civilians as well as the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya. The resolution further strengthens the arms embargo, assets freeze and travel ban imposed under the previous Resolution 1970. I welcome the adoption of Resolution 1973 which is clearly intended to halt the violence being waged by the Gadaffi regime on the Libyan people and to provide protection for the civilian population. I urge that any military actions taken in pursuit of the resolution be in full conformity with its terms, be proportionate and avoid civilian casualties.

The response of the European Union to the crisis in Libya is also welcome. The European Council, at its meeting on 11 March, made clear that Colonel Gadaffi must hand over power and remove himself from the scene to facilitate an orderly and peaceful transition to democracy in Libya in conformity with the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Libyan people. The full range of sanctions imposed by the two resolutions has been implemented at European Union and national level, alongside additional restrictive measures aimed at cutting off the flow of funds and misappropriated proceeds to the Gadaffi regime. Further restrictive measures targeting Libyan oil and gas revenues aimed at ensuring they do not end up in the hands of the regime are under consideration by the European Council.

The international community has also responded to the humanitarian position in Libya. Significant efforts have been undertaken to help those stranded in border areas. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration are working with the Egyptian and Tunisian authorities to ensure the migrants in question receive basic humanitarian aid. The contribution of Egypt and Tunisia has been crucial and particularly praiseworthy in light of recent dramatic developments and difficulties in both countries.

On his recent visit to this country, the United States civil rights campaigner, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, commented on developments in Libya. Jesse Jackson is an eminent world statesman whose warning against excessive use of international military force in Libya should be given serious consideration. He also expressed concern that the United Nations mandate could be stretched beyond its original purpose to protect Libyan people from the humanitarian threat posed by Colonel Gadaffi. He indicated that the aims of the United Nations resolution were containment and a cessation of armed conflict and described it as a humanitarian mission.

Recent reports indicate that the majority of casualties in Libya have been civilians who were attacked by Gadaffi's forces. I concur with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, that Ireland can only support the implementation of United Nations Resolution 1973 in a manner that is proportionate and avoids causing civilian casualties. The Minister stated the Government's position is that it supports regime change and a transition to democracy in a manner that is confined to the protection of civilians and on which the implementation of the United Nations resolution is based. I support United Nations Resolution 1973.

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