Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

The conduct of foreign policy and our relations with other countries often involves striking difficult balances, taking into account both our values and our interests. Striking that balance wrongly can have serious long-term consequences. With all due respect to the distinguished rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, not to mention certain editorial writers, those decisions are to be made by the Government responsible to the Oireachtas. The Minister for Foreign Affairs in what he said this morning has my complete confidence.