Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his response. I am encouraged by much of what he has said. However, I ask him to convey to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade my concern at the comment that a French court is still considering the matter. Two weeks ago the matter was disposed of by a French court who ruled that the extradition was lawful and should proceed. I concede it may be open to appeal; that is a possibility. My information is that it cannot proceed without the French Government giving its accord to the decision of the court; in other words, the court is not the final arbiter. I ask that we encourage the French Government to do this.

While in Rwanda I attended the Gacaca courts. These are community courts which were set up because of the huge number of people involved in the terrible atrocities and the fact that they would never get through the international criminal court in Tanzania. They dealt with people who were involved in the genocide but were not the instigators or leaders. It was a three judge court. I observed some of the cases taking place where I had an interpreter who translated what was being said. Having spoken with community groups, the process was considered to be fair. The thrust of it was to encourage the people to expunge their guilt but also to enable them re-enter society and their local communities. I was impressed by the whole process of reconciliation in Rwanda. I would like to see the Rwandan courts getting to grips with somebody who is accused. I agree with the Minister that the person is only accused at this stage and obviously the courts will have to determine whether he is guilty.

Given the nature and magnitude of the atrocities, I would like to see Rwanda get the chance to do that. There would be sufficient international and moral pressure on Rwanda to show the progress it has made in dealing with the case in a fair and judicial way and I would like to see it avail of the opportunity. I am worried if the Tánaiste feels that it is still in the courts and has not been discharged.