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

We can all agree that the Catalonian situation has escalated because of a failure of both sides to engage meaningfully. It seems the population of Catalonia is split - some would say evenly split - and it helps no one when rhetoric from other states is imported to the situation. There is no legitimate mandate for either the status quo or the vote for independence of the 38% to be taken as the final word. Any comparison with our peace process is overblown, given that there has been no illegitimate paramilitary involvement and all sides have been committed to democracy, even if they disagree about what the law allows. Hopefully, December's election will calm the situation and allow for a return to proper engagement. However, I agree that there is no positive purpose served by prosecutions, arrests and imprisonment of democratically elected politicians. All of that will only serve to make a bad situation worse.

An honest broker is needed. The EU should consider playing this role. The Taoiseach stated that the matter was not discussed at the Council meeting. Was that of the full 28? Should I take it that no one raised the matter at all during the meeting? Did the Taoiseach make any contribution on the matter? I presume that, if it did not arise, he did not. It is almost as if the whole 28 took a vow of silence - before going into the room, whatever we do, do not mention-----

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