Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ar son Fianna Fáil agus ar son baill an phairtí, ba mhaith liom i dtús báire mo chomhbhrón a dhéanamh le muintir na Fraince agus Uachtarán na Fraince tar éis na dúnmharuithe a tharla i bPáras an tseachtain seo caite. Tá sé dochreidte go bhfuil sé ar chumas daoine áirithe dúnmharuithe den tsaghas seo a dhéanamh ar iriseoirí, ar an bpobal i gcoitinne agus ar póilíní. Táimid go léir aontaithe le chéile i gcoinne dúnmharuithe den tsaghas seo. On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I join the expression of sympathy and support for the French people at this traumatic time. The response of President Hollande and the French people to last week's brutal murders has been magnificent and inspiring. They have shown unity and a commitment to the values of free democracy. When the Taoiseach attended last Sunday's march, he was not just representing the Government, he was representing all the people of this country. We are proud of our historic and long-established relationships with France and the values we have shared over many generations. The thousands who marched in Dublin, Cork, Galway and elsewhere gave eloquent testimony to our solidarity with the people of France and the families of the victims.

There is no possible justification or mitigating factor for these brutal killings, which were the work of people who can only be described as evil. Those involved have decided they have the right to impose their fundamentalist interpretation of the world on us all. They are seeking to wipe away centuries of progress towards tolerance and respect for religious freedom and freedom of speech, not just in Europe but throughout the world. As we can see from the grotesque vision of society imposed in the areas under the control of ISIS, these people are opposed not just to freedom of speech but also to basic concepts of liberty.

Let no one be in any doubt that the killers and their supporters represent no one but themselves. They have absolutely no right to claim they speak on behalf of Muslims. There are 1.8 billion Muslims in the world, nearly one quarter of the population on this planet. These extreme fundamentalists do not represent them, and the Muslim community has a right not to be judged by the actions of those who carry out such barbaric actions.

In Ireland we should understand this better than most. In very recent memory, there were those who carried out campaigns of murder and intimidation claiming to represent the people of Ireland even though they were rejected time and again by the people in free elections. We had a right to object when some tried to taint all Irish people with their actions, and the same principle applies to Muslims today. In fact, just as Irish people were the primary victims of the illegitimate campaign here, it is Muslims who continue to be the primary victims of these extremists.

The reign of terror of ISIS in Syria and Iraq and the areas of other countries under the control of different extreme fundamentalists shows frightening levels of brutality and repression on a daily basis. This extreme fundamentalism is a unique force in the modern world and democracies have a right and a duty to defend themselves against it. These fundamentalists have shown us how far they will go in trying to impose their values on us and we must be resolute in response. It is clear that security agencies are struggling with this task and we should support a more comprehensive and assertive strategy. We must do this in full co-operation with other democracies. We must also state that every citizen has a duty to help where he or she can. The role of the citizen is essential in making sure that these networks have nowhere to hide.

In doing this, we must always remember that we have core values that must not be compromised. We cannot defend freedom and democracy by undermining them in our own societies. We should note the leadership taken in Germany by President Gauck and Chancellor Merkel in fighting the attempt by some to find scapegoats and abuse tragedies for political purposes.

Reports concerning the possible use of Ireland by terrorist networks are of great concern and should be taken very seriously. The Government should make a statement in the House on what actions are being taken so that we can all ensure that the necessary resources will be provided to track and disrupt such networks.

The development of a more multicultural society is something that has enriched us and the entirety of Europe. It is the wish of the overwhelming bulk of people to live together peacefully and respectfully. This includes being willing to respect the right of others to say things with which one disagrees and to use peaceful and legal means to settle disagreements. The extremists who committed these atrocities were attacking the foundations of democratic societies. They were not just attacking Charlie Hebdo, the police and innocent shoppers. Their attacks were not just on France. They were on universal values that we hold as fundamental. In light of this, it is right that today we stand with the people of France and commit ourselves to standing with them and other democratic countries in tackling this scourge.

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