Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The Irish Government has always had a considerable interest in the developments in Libya because a number of people who lived in Ireland and acquired Irish citizenship are at a high ranking level in the interim government. My information is that attempts are being made to ensure that the 60 person group that will write the new constitution for Libya has taken into consideration representation in the three major areas of east, west and south that considered themselves to be under-represented in the matter. That is being dealt with at present, but I will check on it. Ireland and the European Union have an interest in the matter. The EU has made €36 million available for capacity building and assisting in the electoral process, as well as having an EU mission in Libya for the elections that are taking place.

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