Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)

I do not believe Ireland is being very supportive. First of all, we pulled out of the MINURSO mission and do not have anybody there anymore. Also, if we are so keen to see the long-awaited referendum, why have we not taken any advantage of this opportunity? This is a point at which Morocco's trade with the European Union and much of its relationship with it depended on, potentially, the requirement for consent to be sought. Why did we not push for explicit consent? Why was that not sought? If one looks for explicit consent, one then has an opportunity to fast-track, after decades, the requirement for a referendum. Why was that political opportunity missed? Does the Government recognise the danger of incentivising and financially rewarding settlers and Moroccan businesses operating in occupied territories, given that we have made those arguments in respect of other occupied territories?Does Ireland believe an opportunity has been missed by not seeking explicit consent and trying to fast track the referendum that would provide that?