Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will take no longer than two minutes. I feel very strongly about this subject. The reason is that I, like many others, witnessed Catalan women being dragged, kicked and assaulted on the referendum polling day. It would not be right for me as an Irish woman parliamentarian not to speak out on the subject.

What efforts have been made by the Government to call for dialogue between the Spanish and Catalonian administrations? The response of the Government is indistinguishable from the Partido Popular's Government line. As a people recently familiar with the importance of open dialogue for resolving political disputes we should be seen to forward a solution-based negotiation. The Taoiseach's recent comments on the possible Border poll under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement have not helped the situation. Referendums are a democratic expression of political will and should be treated with due respect.

There is an urgent need now for dialogue. It is clear that the Spanish Government will not initiate or facilitate this. It is up to the EU leaders, therefore, to ensure that the collective pressure of the EU is used. The Taoiseach should demand this at the next EU Council meeting. Whatever anybody's views on the demand for Catalonian independence are, there is an irrefutable electoral mandate there and it should be respected. This mandate should form the basis of negotiations without preconditions. The Spanish Government's position of pretending that the referendum never happened is not tenable. The first step it must take is to acknowledge the support for independence. I remind the Spanish Government and the EU that this was a key moment for Catalan independence. I would almost go so far as to say that it assures independence in the same way as young people and others across this island were politicised in 1920 after the first Bloody Sunday, in 1972, 1981 and 1916. In all cases people were politicised and motivated. I foresee the same thing happening again.

However, the imposition of direct rule by Madrid is folly, as is direct rule being imposed in the North. We cannot sit on our hands. We must play an honest and active role in protecting human and civil rights.