Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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189. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with the Spanish government the recent and concerning actions of that government in Catalonia (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42209/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Concerns have been raised in the Oireachtas on a number of occasions in recent weeks, including when the Taoiseach spoke last week of his dismay and that of all of Government at the violence that took place on 1 October.

The Government’s concern about the situation has been conveyed to the Spanish authorities by Minister of State Helen McEntee at a meeting with the Spanish Ambassador last week and by our Embassy in Madrid. The Embassy is also keeping its travel advice under review and is updating it on a regular basis to reflect developments.

Over the past week we have seen large scale demonstrations in Barcelona on 4 October, and over the past weekend in Madrid, Barcelona and a number of other locations across Spain. Spanish citizens have taken these opportunities to express a range of views on Catalonia.

Ireland respects the constitution and territorial unity of Spain. It remains the Government's view that it is for Spanish citizens to determine for themselves their preferred constitutional and political arrangements through their own democratic institutions and within the law. Upholding the constitution and the rule of law in all its aspects is a key underpinning of a modern democracy.

Political developments in democracies take place within a legal framework. This is what protects the rights of all of our citizens. Respecting the rule of law and the limits that it imposes is not a choice but an obligation. Differences of opinion should be contested robustly by public representatives and others, and all parties should do so with full respect for the law and the rights of citizens. This is the foundation that underpins and protects modern, democratic societies.

The situation in Catalonia will continue to be closely monitored by the Government.