Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We now proceed to the second item, the political situation in Catalonia. It is rather unfortunate that both issues were raised rather unexpectedly during Question Time. There is an element of repetition.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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We all have our different angles in regard to this. In recent years, millions of people have marched on the streets of Barcelona to demand, in a very colourful and dignified way, the right to vote in a legally binding and democratic referendum on independence from Spain. Just last week, on 11 September, Catalonia's national day, 1.5 million people joined the annual pro-referendum march.

Recent polls indicate that 70% of Catalans, not all of whom are pro-independence, want a referendum. Some will vote "No" in the referendum, but they all want the right to vote. The current Catalan Government was elected in January 2016 on a legitimate and reasonable platform which stated it would establish a binding referendum on independence. Despite the best attempts of the Catalan Government, the Spanish Government continues to deny this democratic mandate and the demands of the Catalan people for a democratic referendum.

My understanding is that a majority of the members of the democratically elected Catalan Parliament have approved legislation to allow a binding independence referendum to take place on 1 October 2017. Yesterday, some disturbing events unfolded in Catalan when the Guardia Civil raided the headquarters of the Catalan Government, arresting 14 high-ranking civil servants and public officers and entered the offices of at least one major political party. That is unprecedented in recent times.

Furthermore, in recent days armed police have visited newspaper officers, shut down websites and raided storage warehouses and printing centres, seizing voting boxes, ballot papers and political posters. More than 700 Catalan mayors who support the referendum have been threatened with judicial prosecution. The President of the Catalan Government said Spain has now de facto suspended self-government and applied a de facto state of emergency. He described the move as an unacceptable situation in a democracy, and I agree with him. What is the position of the Irish Government?

When elected officials are detained for political reasons and ballot boxes for a popular and demographic referendum are seized, we have to speak out. If we do not, who will? When newspapers are threatened and democracy is denied, surely we have to say, "Stop. Enough is enough."

These raids and arrests have triggered massive demonstrations, all of which were peaceful despite some provocation in some areas, and which saw tens of thousands of Catalans demand the most basic of rights - the right to vote in a democratic referendum. In this country, we would like to see more and more people vote yet in this other part of the world, they are telling people that they cannot vote. Thousands of people in the Basque country and Galicia have also taken to the streets in support of their Catalan brothers and sisters.

These unprecedented attacks on fundamental rights and civil and political liberties are putting democracy in Catalonia at risk. Does the Minister of State share my concerns about these events? Is she in any way uncomfortable or even disturbed that government departments in Catalonia are being raided and that civil servants are being arrested for purely legitimate, and I would argue, reasonable demands for a referendum on independence?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Ireland enjoys very close relations with Spain. These relations are, of course, deeper and more textured than simply involving periodic government-to-government relations, developing trade ties or occasional encounters at multilateral events. Our close friendship has at its heart an empathy nurtured by generations of contacts between our people. What happens in Spain is, therefore, of great interest to their Irish friends here in this House and in the society we represent. It makes complete sense that the differing opinions we are now seeing between different institutions and citizens in Catalonia and across Spain should find reflection in different opinions in this House. This is to be expected and respected and I welcome this opportunity to set out the Government's position on this sensitive matter.

Just last month, we were all shocked and saddened by the loss of so many innocent lives and the injuries caused to so many people as a result of the horrific attacks in Catalonia. As the Taoiseach noted in his letter of support and solidarity to Spain's Prime Minister, attacks of this nature are both wanton and cowardly and have no place in our society. We must continue to work together in Europe and with the international community to challenge ideologies of hatred and to uphold the values we hold dear.

At present, we are following developments with regard to Catalonia. We have enormous regard for the Catalan people. Europe is enriched by flourishing national identities across this European Union. This richness is explicitly promoted and protected in the Treaty of the European Union. As I said earlier in the House in reply to a parliamentary question on this topic, the Government's position is that the constitutional and political arrangements in any country of the European Union are matters to be determined by their own citizens through their own democratic institutions in adherence with the rule of law.

As I said already, clearly what happens in Spain is of great interest to us but we believe the issues at hand are domestic issues. Political developments in democracies take place within a legal framework. This is what protects the rights of all of our citizens. In a reply to a Spanish MEP on this topic, the President of the European Parliament wrote recently that the rule of law is the backbone of modern pluralist societies and constitutional democracies. Respecting the rule of law and the limits it imposes on those in government is not a choice but an obligation. The Government and I share this view. I believe it is for all Spanish citizens to determine for themselves, using their democratic institutions and legal safeguards, their preferred constitutional and political arrangements. I do not consider it either appropriate or helpful that Ireland would enter the debate. I am confident that our Spanish friends can chart their own internal political developments.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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It is not the first time that an Irish republican said that what happens in Spain affects us all. Clearly, the idea of standing idly by and watching what is unfolding in Catalonia is unacceptable. The Minister of State's response is deeply disappointing. I do not think it reflects the views of people in Ireland. Yesterday, we saw heavily armed police try to frustrate attempts to have a democratic referendum and to stop a democratically-elected government from carrying out its electoral mandate. I have a problem with that. Perhaps the Irish Government does not have a problem with it but I certainly do. As Ireland's Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, the Minister of State should have a problem with that.

On every level, this goes against the European values of democracy and the right of a people to self-determination. Yesterday, three ferries with capacity for 4,000 members of the Guardia Civil docked in Catalan ports. What did they plan to do? Where is this leading us? How is this an acceptable or credible response to a people's democratic demand for a referendum?

We have seen important referendums on independence in Scotland and Quebec in recent years. On both occasions, the pro-independence lost the popular vote but it showed how normal and important such referenda are in the democratic process. Yesterday, I met a group of Catalans outside the Dáil who told me why they were protesting against the Spanish Government's actions. They were extremely upset about the attacks on the democratic rights of the Catalan people and I can understand that. They pleaded with me and other Deputies to speak out and support Catalans' right to self-determination. We have a responsibility. We must stand up and speak out against repressive and regressive actions that threaten democracy in Ireland and around the world. This is one of those moments. A red line was crossed yesterday. As Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, the Minister has a responsibility to speak out against this policy and these actions. The people of Catalonia have the right to democratically decide their own future in a legal referendum on 1 October. The Spanish Government should refrain from using heavy-handed tactics in an attempt to stop this democratic vote.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his response. I have listened to his contributions. My view is that Spanish citizens should be allowed to determine for themselves, using their own democratic institutions and legal safeguards, what their preferred arrangements within their own country will be. The range of options or opinions on the issue of Catalonia is to be expected. I am grateful to have the opportunity to discuss this in the House but, again, the interest reflects the respect and affection we hold for Spain. The Government believes that it is for all Spanish citizens to determine their own constitutional arrangements using their own institutions. As I said earlier, I do not think it would be right or proper for me to comment further on it. We did not interfere in the Scottish referendum when it took place and in the same way, we should not do so here.