Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, on his trip to the Gaza region, although it did not get much coverage. It was very courageous of him to go there. I would like to ask the Leader if he will arrange for the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to come to this House for a general discussion on the regional situation in Gaza, Palestine and Israel and for a separate discussion on the situation in Azerbaijan, which does not get much coverage. Between 25 and 26 February 1992 - 23 years ago - 613 men, women and children were killed in an atrocity in Khojaly. A serious conflict is ongoing in the Nagorno-Karabakh area but it gets very little coverage. A debate on the issue in this House would be worthwhile. Last Monday night, 16 February, I had the honour of launching the premiere of a film, "Endless Corridors", which is narrated by Jeremy Irons, in the Light House cinema in Dublin. It is worth seeing.

I welcome the recommendation of the new ambassador from the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Tahir Taghizadeh, who has been assigned to London and Dublin. While Mr. Taghizadeh presented his credentials last November in London, he has not yet been given the opportunity of presenting them here. When an ambassador is assigned to a country there should not be a delay on the part of the Minister responsible in providing that ambassador with an opportunity to present his or her credentials to President Michael D. Higgins. I rang the Department yesterday. The matter is under way. I would like to see more action by this Government when it comes to trade, foreign affairs and relationships. It is wrong that the ambassador has been left waiting for the past few months to present his credentials to our President. There is trade involved.