Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I join the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach, and Deputy Ó Cuív and Adams in offering sympathy on behalf of the Technical Group to Deputy Martin and his family.

I wish to raise another serious matter today, the EU decision to ban oil imports from Iran, and the serious consequences for the Irish economy, energy costs, motorists and other consumers. There are also implications for Ireland's foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East. When was the decision on the oil ban made by the Government and did the Cabinet collectively decide on the ban? Why did it make that decision? Did the Taoiseach think about the consequences for Irish customers, motorists, the markets and, above all, Irish jobs? Does the Taoiseach accept that the vast majority of the Irish people do not support this action, particularly the ending of the policy of independent neutrality as we are following Cameron, Sarkozy, Merkel and the US in sabre rattling? Does the Taoiseach not think it a bit rich-----

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