Dáil debates

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed)

International Relations

5:30 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----to present medals to those who have been awarded them for their excellent representation which has been carried out with integrity and competence during the years.

A number of years ago, when I was on the other side of the House, I brought the then spokesman on children with me to Israel and Gaza. We saw at first hand the devastation caused by the Israeli invasion some months earlier. We had long discussions with the authorities and heard graphic descriptions and analysis given by John Ging who at the time was in charge of elements of the provision of humanitarian and educational assistance for the people of Gaza. Anyone who visits Gaza will understand the difficulties surrounding this complex question. It is also fair to say the current ceasefire has ensured that, with one exception, no rockets have been fired by either side in the past month. This provides an opportunity to deal with a number of issues. We strongly support the European Union's policy. The Deputy will have the opportunity to hear from the Minister for Defence on his return about the areas he has visited and the issues he has dealt with on behalf of the Government.

I do not know the names of the people who are attending the conference. The Deputy attached particular classifications to them and categorised them. It is not for me to comment. I am sure the Minister will be happy to report to the House on the issue when he returns.

As I said in reply to Deputy Gerry Adams and, perhaps, Deputy Micheál Martin, I did not have the opportunity to discuss the details of individual cases with the then Secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton. The date of her retirement as Secretary of State had been announced and she came here for a particular purpose. Her time was limited because she was on her way to a meeting with Mr. Brahimi and Russian representatives on the situation in Syria which was dominating world headlines during those few days. We thanked the then Secretary of State and her husband for the part they had played and their exceptional interest and actions on many issues relating to Northern Ireland for very many years. We could have discussed a number of issues such as the Parades Commission, the riots which had taken place during the Christmas period, Ms Price, the disappeared and the legacy of the past. We could have discussed my engagement with people from east Fermanagh, Kingsmills and Enniskillen or the fact that the Tánaiste had attended eemembrance day ceremonies in Belfast, while I had attended the ceremony in Enniskillen on the same day. We could have discussed the meeting held with the representatives from Ballymurphy.

In the light of the number of matters involved, one could not possibly discuss each individual case. However, I have an interest in the case of Marian Price.

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