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

That needs to be said. I am saying it because there is far too much of a one-sided view of everything in terms of the European Union. We are members of the European Union and we should stand up for the European Union from time to time. The Government has no issue with statements. It may be next week in terms of the facilitation of the House but we should have statements on the issue.

We also should at some stage, maybe next week, have statements on the Ballymurphy inquest. Our thoughts today are with the families of those who were killed unjustifiably in Ballymurphy on those terrible three days in August 1971. The inquest has been clear in its conclusions that all were entirely wrongly killed. All were entirely innocent. I myself toured that area as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I acknowledge the extraordinary perseverance and commitment of the families involved who have waited nearly 50 years to get some sense of justice for their loved ones. It speaks more broadly to the legacy issue more generally. This inquest and its outcome deserves to be debated in this House. Also, the Government has supported the Ballymurphy families for many years and we will continue to stand in solidarity with them. The legacy of violence in Northern Ireland remains a deep wound. We should - perhaps it might be possible early next week - have a debate or statements on that, as well as statements on the Middle East because the House has acted before collectively on the Middle East. We have issued joint statements in relation to the Middle East in the past and the Government will be supportive of such an approach.

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