Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

The Minister's response is bull. That is the reality. His Pontious Pilate approach of washing his hands does not wash. He previously wrote to ISIF but on the issue of investing in a genocide, he sat on his hands. I will quote a Government press release, which stated:

Minister Donohoe has recommended that the ISIF should move from a broad investment strategy that is focused on all sectors, to a focus on the priorities that will support Project Ireland 2040 and have a more direct and positive impact on the economy’s long-term growth potential. These priorities include key sustainable economic challenges, such as investments that support indigenous industry; regional development [and so on]. On this basis, the Government has decided to refocus ISIF funds along the following lines ...

The press release goes on to state that ISIF has taken up the Minister's recommendation and has done so. The Minister has impact. The idea that ISIF is completely independent and that, as Minister, he can do nothing is nonsense. This is a genocide. People have been ripped apart by bullets and bombs, and this State funded it. We brought forward a motion in this House and the Minister sat there as if the State had no role, hand, act or part in it. What has happened is disgraceful. He does not get away with saying it is nothing to do with him.

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