Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis seo cur leis an rún ata os comhair an tSeanaid. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir O'Malley, tá an rud atá ag dul ar aghaidh i leith Ingrid Betancourt scanallach. Iarraimid uilig go scaoilfí saor í láithreach. Tá sí á choinneáil ag FARC.

I welcome this debate and commend the Independent Senators for putting forward this motion. The motion has the support of all Senators in the House, and rightly so. It is scandalous that this person is being held by FARC. We have serious concerns about her health but, regardless of her health situation, she should be released immediately. I urge everybody with any influence to seek her immediate release. The Irish Government is trying to do something about it but we should also use the power of the European Union, which has a duty to its citizen. We must also use the neighbouring countries that might have influence. Hugo Chavez has been able to secure the release of hostages held by FARC in the past and we should, through our diplomatic corps, impress on him and others the need to use their influences to secure her release. I am grateful for the opportunity to support this motion.