Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and the opportunity to have this important debate. Like other Members, I know Spain well from many visits there. The eruption of this constitutional crisis is shocking. It was particularly shocking to see the violence that erupted on 1 October and the heavy-handed response by Prime Minister Rajoy and the Spanish Government. It clearly inflamed the crisis and strengthened the independence movement. We should hear stronger words of condemnation from the Government of the actions of the Spanish Government. That is crucial. The scenes were shocking, as was the fact that 900 people were injured. The subsequent political arrests of pro-independence people were also shocking. It was an inflammatory move by Prime Minister Rajoy. He and his Government have mishandled the separatist question as a result.

That said, I certainly would not support a unilateral declaration of independence by Catalonia. Like my party leader, Deputy Brendan Howlin, I disagree with those in this House and elsewhere who call for unthinking support for Catalonian independence. We must also be clear that the so-called independence referendum took place outside a constitutional framework and that independent observers declared that it did not meet the standards required and so forth. However, Prime Minister Rajoy's response was appalling. There has not been sufficiently strong condemnation of the violence by the central government from our Government.

Furthermore, this issue is continuing to unfold. There are ongoing developments. Tomorrow, the Parliament of Catalonia will meet to decide on its response to the threat of direct rule from Spain, another heavy-handed tactic on the part of the Spanish Government, after which the Spanish Senate will return to the matter. The strongest words of wisdom are the words of The Elders who spoke through their chairman, Kofi Annan: "The constitutional crisis that is unfolding in Spain calls for consultation and not confrontation." The Elders have urged the Spanish Government and the regional government of Catalonia to renew their commitment to a resolution through dialogue and to find a peaceful path. One thing we in Ireland know is the importance of peaceful dialogue.

As Europeans, we have lessons to learn from what occurred in the former Yugoslavia and, indeed, from what has been happening more recently in Crimea and Ukraine in terms of declarations of independence and the assertion of rights of self-determination that have consequences, may be complex and have to be navigated and negotiated through peaceful means. That is very important.

I also refer to the recent statement by the president of the Party of European Socialists who criticised both sides in this dispute, pointing out that by calling an illegal referendum Catalonian nationalists tried to bend the rule of law to their advantage but by hiding behind police and the judiciary the Spanish Government stretched Spain's institutions, gave up on politics and fed extremist positions in both camps. Ireland should condemn the Spanish Government's inflammatory moves and seek to encourage all involved to work towards a peaceful resolution.

Finally, it is not good enough for the European Commission to describe the crisis as an internal matter for the Spanish. In the past we saw the EU fail in its response to the breakdown of the former Yugoslavia. The EU must recognise that this is an important matter which cannot simply be brushed aside. It is more than an internal matter, particularly when we see the police tactics used on the streets of Barcelona. There is a middle ground. Many people in Catalonia would not have supported the vote for independence and did not turn out on 1 October for that reason. Equally, they were disgusted by the Spanish Government's tactics.

There must be stronger words from Ireland and a strong indication of our support for any peaceful attempts to resolve this crisis, recognising, of course, that there are ongoing issues and that the crisis is unfolding as we speak.