Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)

It is fair to say that the handling of this matter fell below the standard we would expect across these Houses and within the Government. The late submission of documents by the European Commission so close to the 4 October deadline left member states in a difficult position. I wish to reiterate to the Senator that Ireland's long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute and full support of the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. We endeavoured at all times to provide accurate information to this House on a complex legal and diplomatic process, including in the Commencement matter. I appreciate that some of detail provided today serves to clarify matters for the House. However, I would welcome the opportunity to continue engagement, perhaps in writing, with the Senator because some of the technical detailed questions need to be replied to on paper so that both of us have them to hand accurately. I look forward as ever to continuing that discussion with the Senator.