Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Fidelma Healy EamesFidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The need to promote peace across the globe is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Here in Ireland, issues relating to our national security are deserving of priority. One of the key underlying factors that is fuelling the activities of ISIS is the radicalisation of Muslim youth, a phenomenon to which Ireland is not immune. According to Deputy Alan Shatter, former Minister for Justice and Equality, at least 40 people from Ireland have joined ISIS. Records in the Department indicate that three of them have been killed. I was watching CNN at the weekend and it seemed to me there was nothing but wall-to-wall coverage of ISIS. I heard an envoy of President Obama speak about the need to isolate and slaughter. For young people listening to that, it fuels their radicalisation. Indeed, that type of language amounts to incitement to hatred. The media have a huge responsibility when reporting on issues like these.

We in Ireland are fortunate to live in a peaceful country. As an aside, I join colleagues in welcoming the new arrangements for the North. However, we are very much a globalised society and there is a need to educate our young people about Islam and The Koran. The latter is being used by ISIS as justification for murders, including beheadings, and other terrorist activities. At a conference earlier this year in Africa, I spoke to a female political leader who expressed the view that if Islamic terrorists really understood The Koran, they would not be doing what they do in its name. What they are doing, she said, is coming from a state of ignorance. We in this country also need to educate ourselves in this regard.

The Cathaoirleach is indicating my time is up. I have two questions for the Leader.

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