Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Popular unrest and demonstrations have in a very short time resounded across much of the Arab world. Entrenched authoritarian regimes have been confronted by demands of largely unorganised citizens for change. In a region dominated since independence by the same leaders or elites this has been justifiably titled the Arab spring. The common overwhelming demand has been for change and a more democratic system in which the citizenry as a whole participates in political life and decisions. There are also strong underlying economic grievances at work fuelling these demands. While these are very positive developments, they are also full of potential risk. The outcome so far has ranged from substantial but not yet complete success in Tunisia and Egypt to bloody repression in Libya, an issue I will address in more detail in reply to other questions.

There has been a very large number of statements by the European Union, individual EU member states, the United States and others on these critical issues covering a wide range of countries. Overall reaction, while perhaps understandably a little hesitant at first, has generally been very supportive of the demands for change in the Arab world. High Representative Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union, has spoken often and consistently, urging leaderships to respond to the legitimate demands of their citizens and resist recourse to repression. On 11 March the European Council explicitly called on Colonel Gadaffi to step down.

My own view is that we should provide the countries in question with strong and generous support in their transition to democracy, while at the same time respecting their autonomy. This historic juncture presents many opportunities as well as challenges and we should not fear to grasp them.

The European Union has long had as a key objective the promotion of our values of democracy and the rule of law in our nearest neighbours. My first meetings with EU colleagues have been dominated by our continuing response to these events. The Union believes that, while it is for Arab nations to decide their future direction, we should adapt our engagement with and support for the countries in question so as to support and encourage the transition now taking place.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Our approach to these issues is governed by the principles of respect for human rights and the rights of individuals, in particular civilians. In respect of Bahrain, about which the Deputy asked a specific question, I am very concerned about reports of serious violence on the streets of Bahrain and signs of increasing sectarian tension. Security forces from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council, have been deployed in Bahrain at the request of its government and there is a state of emergency. I fully support the statement made by High Representative Catherine Ashton on 15 March in which she urged restraint and stated dialogue was the only way to solve the crisis in Bahrain. I call on the authorities in Bahrain to begin immediately an inclusive and comprehensive dialogue aimed at agreeing necessary political and economic reforms.

Yemen, about which the Deputy also asked, is also experiencing significant unrest and popular protest which descended into widespread violence on 18 March when at least 39 pro-democracy protestors were shot dead by pro-government forces. On 21 March the Foreign Affairs Council strongly condemned the use of force against protestors and deeply deplored the injuries and loss of life caused.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I do not have any hesitation in condemning attacks on civilians in Bahrain. I call on the authorities there to respect the right of unarmed protestors to assemble and express their views and to avoid any actions which would escalate and radicalise the situation.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 18: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his policy in relation to assistance to opposition forces in Libya [5387/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The people of Libya deserve an agreed and democratic future. The regime of Colonel Gadaffi which has a long and vicious record of violence against those who oppose it has neither the agreement nor the democratic endorsement of the Libyan people. Colonel Gadaffi's abuse of power has been once again demonstrated in his violent suppression of opposition to his rule which has made no effort to spare civilians. He should order an immediate and genuine cessation of his military offensive. He and his family should surrender power and allow the Libyan people to peacefully determine their own shared future.

The Government welcomes the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1973 which demanded the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against and abuse of civilians and decided to establish a no-fly zone over Libya to help protect civilians. We support the implementation of Resolution 1973 in a manner that is proportionate, targeted and avoids civilian casualties.

The Government which has released stocks of blankets and tents from Ireland's pre-positioned stocks in response to the United Nations' appeal seeking help for those fleeing the ongoing violence, as well as providing €250,000 in funding to help the International Organisation for Migration to transport migrants leaving Libya back to their home countries, stands ready to provide further humanitarian assistance in support of Libyans affected by the current violence.

In relation to opposition forces in Libya, the Interim Transitional National Council of Libya which was formally established in Benghazi on 5 March has emerged as the principal political representative of all those within Libya who are seeking to remove the Gadaffi regime and institute a process of democratic change there. Ireland's long-standing position has been to recognise states rather than governments. However, I obviously welcome the emergence of the ITNC as an important political interlocutor and representative of the Libyan people and would similarly encourage all others within Libya who are committed to helping transform the country into a constitutional state based on the rule of law. Political contacts with the ITNC are important and clearly to be distinguished from any formal act of recognition. I would be happy to meet any envoys of the ITNC should they ever visit Ireland. Officials from my Department have held a number of meetings with representatives of the Libyan community in Ireland to discuss events since the start of the current crisis.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I note the Minister's statement that the Government supports the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution "in a manner that is proportionate, targeted and avoids civilian casualties." Does he support the manner in which the resolution is being implemented? We are relying on media reports, including some which indicate there have been many civilian casualties. As the latter come from the Gadaffi regime, they are unconfirmed and somewhat dubious. I am interested in learning whether the Minister believes the manner in which the Security Council resolution is being implemented is proportionate, targeted and avoids civilian casualties.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The purpose of the resolution was to protect civilians from attacks upon them by the Gaddafi regime. UN Security Council Resolution 1973 makes it clear that necessary measures are only authorised in order to protect civilians and civilian populated areas in Libya that are under threat of attack or to enforce compliance with the no-fly zone.

I welcome the assurances provided that this is the sole purpose of the military operations now underway and that no actions will be contemplated which are not in strict accordance with the terms of resolution 1973. I repeat, Ireland can only support implementation of resolution 1973 in a manner that is proportionate, targeted and avoids civilian casualties.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. In response to an earlier question dealing with a number of countries, the Tánaiste said that the Government provided strong and generous support to those countries in their transition to democracy. I am interested to hear his response to the comments made yesterday by President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron in relation to Libya which made clear that the end game as far as they are concerned is regime change. While the security council resolution does not provide for regime change it appears that is the agenda for those two super powers. I am interested in hearing whether the Irish Government supports regime change and in what manner that support, if forthcoming, can be manifested.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Deputy has raised two questions, the first of which relates to the transition to democracy in Libya. Clearly, the Government supports the transition and moves towards democracy in Libya. For this to happen, the Gaddafi regime will have to be replaced. However, UN Security Council Resolution 1973 is not based on regime change. It was adopted to protect the civilian population in Libya and, therefore, actions taken under resolution 1973 must be confined to the protection of the civilian population. They do not extend to regime change. In circumstances where there are no threats to the civilian population and the people in Libya are free to protest and agitate for change of the regime, Ireland supports that effort and the transition to democracy. It must be clearly stated that resolution 1973 did not comprehend regime change. It is confined to the protection of civilians, on which our support for implementation of that resolution is based.