Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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165. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action that can be taken by the Government regarding a recent decision by the Spanish supreme court to remove a memorial to the International Brigades who fought in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35191/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am aware of the decision in June of the Superior Appeal Court in Madrid to instruct the public Madrid Complutense University to remove the monument to the International Brigades which was installed inside its grounds on 22 October 2011. The ruling of the Superior Appeal Court was that the installation of the monument was illegal as the University had never sought the relevant urban planning permission. The original decision to locate the monument at the University was, I understand, inspired by the fact that some of the heaviest fighting in 1936 between Nationalist and Republican forces in Madrid took place in the grounds of that University. I am aware that there are other existing monuments to the International Brigades in Spain, including in the Madrid region in the area around the Jarama river, south of the city, where one of the most important battles took place. I understand that the ruling of the Appeal Court is final and that there is no further judicial appeal. While, like many other people in this country I personally regret the decision, it is not possible for the Irish government to intervene in an internal matter which arises from a judicial ruling relating to the application of Spain’s planning laws.