Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important to point out that the massacre of the Armenians in 1915 and 1916 is not only a matter of historical interest. It also is, notwithstanding its antiquity, an issue that requires a political response. That is why, I suppose, I put down this question. We recently saw a political response from the new President of the United States who, on 24 April, which is the date upon which Armenians mark the commencement of the genocide, issued a statement on behalf of the United States indicating that they recognise it as genocide.

I note what the Minister stated but I have to ask how we can ever recognise this as being genocide if we are dependent upon awaiting the outcome of an international court decision or international consensus. There will not be any international court decision in respect of this. Notwithstanding that, there are significant commentaries from journalists and contemporary observers of the genocide who have written tracts on the evidence of it. That needs to be taken into account by the Government.

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