Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. Tá mé díreach isteach an doras ó Barcelona agus tá uafás agus alltacht orm leis an méid a chonaic mé. I am literally just in the door from Barcelona. I spent the weekend there as part of an international observation delegation for the referendum in Catalonia. To say that I am shocked and disturbed by what I saw would be a massive understatement. What we saw was state-orchestrated abuse of human rights and civil liberties. I am not the only person saying that. There was also another very large delegation of international experts who came out with the same opinion.

There has been much rhetoric around the fact that this was not a legal referendum. Was it legal to strike a 70 year old man on the crown for standing in line waiting to vote? I spoke to that man on Sunday afternoon. Was it legal to injure 900 people? Was it legal to smash and damage the property in schools across Catalonia? This was a massive attack on the right to free speech, the right to freedom of assembly and the right to self-determination.

The Catalan people were absolutely incredible. Not one of us in the delegation of almost 100 people saw one person provoke any of the Guardia Civil. They were absolutely peaceful and determined. Great praise goes to their local version of An Garda Síochána, the Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra and to the fire-fighters of Catalonia who, in many cases, stepped in between the Guardia Civil and the civilians. This was and is State enforced oppression. It was extreme and totally out of proportion. What happened was an absolute disgrace. This was not just an attack on the people of Catalonia, it was an attack on democracy itself. The members of the Spanish Government should, in my opinion, hang their heads in shame. The Spanish Prime Minister did not come out to condemn the activity; he praised it. The EU should hang its head in shame because it has agreed with the Spanish position. Those leaders across Europe and the world who agree with that opinion should certainly rethink their position. The President of Catalonia, Carlos Puigdemont, who we met on Friday, has called for an international, non-EU mediator to be appointed - sponsored by the EU - and I am of the view that this needs to happen. This Parliament needs to take a stand and be counted in favour of democracy. I note that Senator Swanick made a very good proposition last week that we invite President Carlos Puigdemont from Catalonia to address this House, as Nicola Sturgeon did. I certainly would call for that, along with a full debate on the matter with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is an issue for democracy.