Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his response and welcome his comments. He will be aware there is a strong and vibrant Bosnian community in Ireland. It is important to note that morale within that community is very low. There is much concern about the future of their fledgling state and country. The Bosnian state is coming out of a bloody and dreadful conflict where more than 100,000 people have been killed and it needs the complete attention of the European Union. Given that from July there will be a border with Bosnia when Croatia joins the European Union, it is essential that the challenges facing them are addressed, particularly the judgment to which the Minister referred. Essentially, there is a sectarian straitjacket in Bosnia where one must identify oneself as Bosniak, Croat or Serb in order to run for President or the Upper House. In other conflict resolution areas, such as Northern Ireland, at the very least one has the opportunity not to accept the label of Nationalist or Unionist. The fact that has not been moved on requires action. What steps will the Government take in the short time remaining of the Irish Presidency to advance the issue?

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