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

It is not the first time that an Irish republican said that what happens in Spain affects us all. Clearly, the idea of standing idly by and watching what is unfolding in Catalonia is unacceptable. The Minister of State's response is deeply disappointing. I do not think it reflects the views of people in Ireland. Yesterday, we saw heavily armed police try to frustrate attempts to have a democratic referendum and to stop a democratically-elected government from carrying out its electoral mandate. I have a problem with that. Perhaps the Irish Government does not have a problem with it but I certainly do. As Ireland's Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, the Minister of State should have a problem with that.

On every level, this goes against the European values of democracy and the right of a people to self-determination. Yesterday, three ferries with capacity for 4,000 members of the Guardia Civil docked in Catalan ports. What did they plan to do? Where is this leading us? How is this an acceptable or credible response to a people's democratic demand for a referendum?

We have seen important referendums on independence in Scotland and Quebec in recent years. On both occasions, the pro-independence lost the popular vote but it showed how normal and important such referenda are in the democratic process. Yesterday, I met a group of Catalans outside the Dáil who told me why they were protesting against the Spanish Government's actions. They were extremely upset about the attacks on the democratic rights of the Catalan people and I can understand that. They pleaded with me and other Deputies to speak out and support Catalans' right to self-determination. We have a responsibility. We must stand up and speak out against repressive and regressive actions that threaten democracy in Ireland and around the world. This is one of those moments. A red line was crossed yesterday. As Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, the Minister has a responsibility to speak out against this policy and these actions. The people of Catalonia have the right to democratically decide their own future in a legal referendum on 1 October. The Spanish Government should refrain from using heavy-handed tactics in an attempt to stop this democratic vote.

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