Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I share the sorrow and sympathy expressed across the House concerning the tragedy in Inishowen. I come from the small county of Leitrim, which only has a population of 30,000. Inishowen is like my wife's area of west County Cork. While it is part of the broader county, it is a tightly knit community. The devastation visited on the good people of that part of the country can only evoke the greatest of sympathy.

Will the Leader convey the thanks of the House to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on his efforts last week following an all-party motion in the Seanad regarding Mrs. Ashanti, who was under the threat of stoning? Last week, I conveyed to the House the nauseating detail of what might occur. As a result of the pressure applied by Ireland, the EU and various international agencies and governments, the Iranian authorities stated at the weekend that they would not be proceeding with the execution. Even at a remove, this example highlights the importance of the effect a parliament can have on a government without interfering with the latter's sovereign right to decide its judicial processes, however one might view stoning.

I also share the concerns of Senators Corrigan and Bradford regarding the 18 year old woman who was convicted when she was 14 years old. Her situation has been explained in detail and I agree that the Minister should make Ireland's position on the issue known. From speaking with the Minister last week, I know he called in the Iranian ambassador in the past month to deal with this matter, but it needs to be revisited. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs met representatives of the Iranian Embassy to discuss the case of Mrs. Ashtiani.