Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Having seen what has happened since the early part of the year in Libya and in particular at how citizens in Misrata have been attacked by the Gadaffi forces and taking into consideration the difficulties that were encountered with evacuating people from Misrata - to which operation Ireland made a significant financial contribution - nobody can be in any doubt about the way in which the Gadaffi regime has focused its guns on its own civilian population. A series of UN resolutions, particularly Resolution 1973, were designed to protect civilians. That is the objective Ireland supports in a manner that is proportionate, targeted and avoids civilian casualties.

One of the difficulties in forming an assessment of the impact of particular actions is the degree to which there is very little information coming from the Gadaffi-held parts of Libya. As the Deputy will be aware they have closed down the entire communications operation there. It goes without saying that nobody has any desire to see physical harm come to Muammar Gadaffi or any member of his family. That is not the objective of the UN operation. Neither, strictly speaking, is regime change part of that operation.

The Deputy spoke about the Russian response. I understand that Russia has now joined the list of countries stating that Muammar Gadaffi does not have a political future in Libya. They are increasingly trying to play a role in promoting a political resolution. The Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Lavrov, recently met representatives of the Libyan regime and the Libyan transitional national council in Benghazi. President Medvedev has sent a special envoy to hold talks with the Libyan rebels in Benghazi all of which is welcome.

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