Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Is mian liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir Ormonde as a cuid ama a roinnt liom agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil rún comhpháirtí á phlé againn ar an ábhar thar a bheith tábhachtach seo. Le tamall fada, ar Riar na hOibre gach maidin, bhí seans againn labhairt faoi seo ach ní raibh seans againn labhairt faoi le haontas. Ag amharc siar ar stair na hÉireann, níl aon amhras ach go bhfuil macalla le feiceáil sa chuid sin den domhan ina bhfuil an choimhlint fós ann agus go bhfuil daoine ag fulaingt go rialta. Tá súil agam go gcabhróidh ár nguth, is cuma cé chomh beag agus atá sé, i slí éigin teacht ar réiteach éigin a mbeidh daoine sásta leis.

Ireland has a particularly noble and honourable status in international affairs when it comes to human rights. Ireland took a particularly independent sovereign stance on the Falklands conflict. It was suggested we would suffer for it and that we were out of line. Interestingly, we did not because the line we took became the main focus for a solution and a cessation of hostilities.

Because we are seen as an honest broker with no particular vested interest in most of these issues and because we were not a colonising power, it is amazing how other nations, diplomats and politicians look to us for a more neutral and less tied position to an existing national policy. This was particularly evident in the comments of the Minister, Deputy Martin, other Government spokespersons and Opposition spokespersons. It was evident there was a unified and united approach to this conflict. That is the only way what we say will have some authority and power. We should not have a tale of division among ourselves but should be able to express ourselves in the manner in which we did.

I do not contribute to the notion we should break off diplomatic relations with Israel. At this stage I do not contribute to the notion there should be trade sanctions. I do not genuinely believe that is the road forward. When such methods have been employed in the past as an instrument or weapon, invariably they have not worked.