Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is no reference in the conclusions to ISIS, Turkey's position on ISIS or its response to the attacks on the city of Kobanê, which is seen by many as immoral and shameful. Turkish forces attacked Kurds on the Turkish-Syrian border while well-equipped soldiers sat on tanks. The heavy-handed and uneven approach of the Turkish authorities has resulted in the death of 21 Kurdish protesters. Turkey is giving in to international pressure because of drops by Americans on Kobanê. Last month, they bombed Turkish forces in the south-east of Turkey, officially breaking a two-year ceasefire. Was that discussed on the sidelines or at the Council meeting? Is the Government concerned with Turkish policy? The Minister of State can let me know if he cannot answer these questions. Across Europe, people are concerned about this.

Ebola was discussed. The focus has moved away from what is happening in African countries and towards European capitals. What would happen if it occurred in Ireland? The readiness of the Mater hospital was discussed. Bob Geldof said that people are not dying of this dirty little virus but dying of poverty. The focus must be on possible famine and food insecurity. Has the Irish Government adopted a position that the focus must be on stopping the virus in Africa, supporting people in Africa and averting a possible famine?

I was going to ask about Ukraine, but Deputy Martin has dealt with that. The Council discussed the disgraceful actions of Turkey and its renewal of tensions with regard to the sovereign rights of Cyprus in its economic zone by trying to chart gas deposits. The actions caused the suspension of peace and reunification talks on the island. Was this point raised with the Taoiseach's Cypriot counterpart? Did the Taoiseach give Ireland's full support to the Cypriot people in respect of their sovereignty and the reunification talks process?

With regard to Kosovo, news of corruption in the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX, leaked out last week and it was reported that top officials had taken bribes from Kosovo gangsters. When two senior officials faced the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on Monday, they declined to comment on details of the corruption allegations on the grounds that it is an ongoing investigation. Does the Government have a position on this? What is it? Some MEPs are proposing that OLAF, the European Union anti-fraud office, should look into the allegations, while others think the EU should recruit an independent investigator. I have other questions but I am conscious that other Members are trying to speak.

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