Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for his response. I am sure he is aware of the growing international concern at the NATO operation. UN Security Resolution 1973 was to prevent Gadaffi from using his army or airforce to attack Libyans. It is clear that the international community would support those objectives particularly in the context of the Arab spring that has taken place in neighbouring countries in north Africa and is now spreading throughout the Middle East. The Pan-African Parliament has condemned this. The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has expressed concern over the objectives of NATO which have moved beyond the scope of the UN resolution. Konstantin Kosachev, spokesperson for the Duma foreign affairs committee in Russia, has expressed grave concerns at the attack which led to the killing of Muammar Gaddafi's 29 year old son and three grandchildren, which any right thinking person would have to condemn because it was an attack on the compound where they reside.

Does the Tánaiste share the concerns of the Russian Parliament, the Russian Prime Minister and the Pan-African Parliament? Does he believe there is consistency when there are numerous UN Security Council resolutions against Israel and international condemnation of Israel but no action? When Irish citizens try to go on a flotilla bringing international aid they are advised not to as they are not supported by the Government. Where is the consistency in approach? Where is the NATO operation against Israel to enforce those resolutions? This is the issue for the international community.

See this speech in context