Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senators for their sentiments. I empathise and agree with what Senator Ross said. From my contact with the members of Margaret Hassan's family in Ireland, I know they have been upset by the invasion of privacy, especially at a time when it is difficult for them to get their heads around what is going on and what they can do at so far a remove. From that point of view the Senator is correct in what he says. He is also correct with regard to the global reaction.

There was some criticism of what we endeavoured to do in the case of Kenneth Bigley. However, I felt we had to do what we did. We had to make every effort within our power. In that instance, by providing him with a passport we were only providing something to which he was entitled. A passport is only a document. He was entitled to Irish citizenship under our laws. Therefore, whether he did or did not have a document made no difference. We, as we do in emergency circumstances where, for example, people have lost passports abroad, cut through the red tape on that occasion. Unfortunately, that was not successful.

In this instance, the initial view, as outlined to me by both her family here and her husband, might be that the fact that Margaret Hassan is so widely known in Iraq and that she worked with and helped ordinary Iraqi people, which does not in any way reflect on other people who were kidnapped and murdered, may mean that the best people to judge the type of contacts that should be made are those people on the ground. Having spoken to Mr. Hassan yesterday, I know he hopes to speak to a number of key people in the area whom he believes have significant influence. This belief was exemplified by the statement of one of Mrs. Hassan's friends to the media. Another friend who worked with her for a number of years in Iraq also confirmed the same to me privately. However, they very much welcome the support the Oireachtas is giving and believe it will be key in the release of Margaret Hassan.