I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the leaders of the Opposition parties for responding so promptly to the Government's request to convene this special session of Dáil Éireann. It is important that the Members of the House have the opportunity to express, on behalf of the Irish nation we represent, our sorrow and outrage at the terrible and evil events that have occurred in the United States.
This day, one week ago, is a day we will never forget. It was, in the words of one commentator, one of those moments in which history splits and we define the world as "before" and "after". In short, last Tuesday is likely to mark a clear and shockingly defined moment in history. While it is too early to assess the full implications of the atrocities committed, it is clear they will affect the way the world functions across the range of human activity.
We are gathered to express our sympathy for the very many victims and our condemnation of the barbarous acts of terrorism. On behalf of the Government and the Irish people, I express our deepest heartfelt sympathy with the families of the victims, many of whom are Irish or of Irish descent. We also come together to express our solidarity with the President and Congress of the United States of America and the entire American people. It is also appropriate that we take the opportunity to express our readiness to co-operate in any way within our power to bring the perpetrators of this crime against humanity to justice and ensure there can never again be a recurrence of the horror that has unfolded before our eyes over this past, terrible week.
In any situation where life, even that of a single human being, is cut short suddenly, prematurely and unexpectedly, there is a measure of disbelief on the part of the family, relatives and friends of those who lose their lives. The whole human family has been engulfed by such a sense of disbelief over this past week. All of us have witnessed mass murder and tragedy on a truly universal scale and we have struggled to come to terms with the enormity of this disaster. People everywhere find it difficult to comprehend what happened or understand how any person, group or government could be so evil, so ruthless, so heedless of human life and the values of human civilisation to plan and execute such horrendous crimes.
We have seen pictures of frightful scenes as people fell to their deaths from the upper floors of the World Trade Centre in New York. We have also heard with shock the accounts of airliners hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. We cannot even imagine the fate of those caught in the infernos that so quickly developed or who were crushed beneath hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rubble as the twin towers collapsed.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families and the American people, as we see and hear the appalling scenes unfolding on our television screens and hear the many stories of fortunate escape or family members and friends lost forever. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the American people at this time for this was an attack not only on the leading democracy in the world, but on all of us who uphold the values of freedom, democracy and human rights.
We must face the probability that the number of Irish people killed in these attacks will be substantial. Already, we have heard with sadness of the tragic fate of Ruth Clifford McCourt and her daughter, Juliana, the first Irish fatalities to be identified. That such a typical Irish family could suffer such an horrific fate at the hands of ruthless killers is a shocking indication of the effects that terrorist actions can have on ordinary people. Unfortunately, in the coming days as additional fatalities are confirmed, we will feel again the sense of shock we felt last week. The death toll of Irish people and Irish Americans is proof, were it needed, of the close links between our two countries.
I put on record our great admiration and profound respect for the men and women of the emergency services in America, not least the men and women of the police and fire departments in New York, for the heroic sacrifice made by them and their lost colleagues, their patriotism and sense of duty, and their complete commitment to the task of attempting to save life from this cruel, heartless act of mass murder.
In our own country, over the past 30 years, many days have been etched in our memory, days which saw terrible and tragic events which brought immense suffering, most recently at Omagh. We can, therefore, in some measure, begin to understand and empathise with the shock and pain our American friends are feeling. We still have much to do to help mitigate, as far as we ever can, the pain and suffering – mental, emotional and physical – of all those injured or bereaved in these terrible events in Ireland. Further steps in this regard will shortly be considered by the Government. Our experience has given us some insight into the sheer enormity of what happened last week in America and the consequential human losses. As I speak, we still do not know the full toll of human life, but it is clear that in the region of almost 6,000 lives were cruelly sacrificed on the altar of human hatred.
It was against this background that the Government decided to designate Friday last as a national day of mourning as a mark of respect to the victims and a symbol of our solidarity with the people of the United States. I pay tribute to the spirit in which the Irish people, led by our President, Mary McAleese, and all the businesses and workers and organisers of sporting and public events observed the spirit of that sad day. I also express our appreciation to the heads of the major religious denominations for their co-operation in helping to organise religious services which enabled people to offer their prayers for the people of America and particularly for the victims and their grief-stricken families and friends.
Apart from the scale of the catastrophe, we were also very conscious, in arranging the national day of mourning, of the special and unique relationship between the Irish and American peoples, exemplified by the Irish people who lost their lives or are still missing and feared dead as a result of last Tuesday's events. In both these senses, what we saw were attacks on our own kith and kin.
In addition to the deep personal and family links with the United States, Ireland has manifold other links – trade, investment, artistic and political – but it is the intimate human ties that underpin the special and unique relationship between the Irish and American peoples. The way in which that affinity is so strongly felt by our people was clearly demonstrated by the large numbers – thousands at one stage – who queued to sign the books of condolences at the American Embassy and by the attendance at religious services of remembrance, both on the day of mourning and again on Sunday last. In the same generous spirit, many families opened their houses to American tourists stranded here by the closure of American airspace or offered words and gestures of comfort and solidarity to American men and women when they met them in street, hotel, restaurant or pub.
We all know the extent of our economic links, how so many Irish people work in US firms established here in Ireland, which has been the investment location of choice for a large number of American corporations. We know the extent of the support that the United States has given to the peace process here in Ireland and the related political process. This was most notably seen during the two terms of President Clinton, who made three official visits to Ireland, North and South, in support of the process. He also sent us Senator George Mitchell to carry out the successive tasks that he undertook with such distinction and success, most notably the chairing of the multi-party talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement.
US support for the peace and political process has continued undiminished under President George W. Bush. Very early in his term of office he appointed a very senior State Department diplomat, Ambassador Richard Haass, as his special representative to advise and assist on Irish affairs. It was, in one way, extraordinary that I learned of the dreadful attacks last Tuesday just as I was about to commence a meeting with Ambassador Haass, accompanied by the new US ambassador, Mr. Richard Egan, who, I think, will be present in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery later today. Our meeting was intended to focus on his efforts over the following few days to help in our endeavours to overcome the remaining obstacles to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Naturally, while we did discuss that matter, our discussion was very largely devoted to the terrible events in the United States.
The Government responded with the greatest sense of urgency to the appalling news. I immediately condemned the attacks and conveyed our sympathy and support to President Bush and all Americans. With the Tánaiste and Ambassadors Haass and Egan, I quickly spoke to the media at Government Buildings to express our feelings of disbelief and outrage. Within hours of the attack, the Tánaiste and I chaired a meeting of heads of the security services and key Government Departments. We were briefed on arrangements which the Department of Foreign Affairs had by then put in place to assist people who had concerns about relatives in the United States. We were also briefed on measures being taken to step up security as the scale and nature of the attacks became apparent.
A high level co-ordinating group, chaired by my Department and comprising representatives of the Garda, Defence Forces and the Government Departments immediately concerned, has continued to meet since then to monitor developments. Other bodies, such as the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, have also been meeting to respond to unfolding events in their own spheres of responsibility.
In order to help our own people concerned as to the fate of loved ones living or visiting New York and Washington, we very quickly set up and announced helpline telephone numbers. We established an emergency centre in the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has continued, from the outset, to operate on a 24 hour basis to provide information, support, comfort for the thousands who have telephoned with queries as to the safety of family members, relatives or friends who were in New York and Washington. Many officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, other Departments and health boards volunteered to provide this service and I commend the Departments and all the staff who have risen so magnificently to the occasion. The operation at headquarters in Iveagh House has been fully integrated with the Embassy in Washington and the Consulate-General in New York in providing this very important service for our own people. Thanks are also due to the thousands of workers in the air travel industry, the Garda, a myriad of other services and the general public who have selflessly given of their time to assist those affected.
A great many Irish people in the affected cities, particularly New York, have been traced and it has been possible to give reassurance and good news to many. Sadly, those manning the special centre have also had to confirm the worst to other grieving families. Trauma counselling has been made available to the staff engaged in the very stressful work of confirming loss of life or seeking to alleviate the anxiety of those in great distress with uncertainty and worry for their loved ones.
The events that had occurred and the whole situation were reviewed by the Government at our meeting on Wednesday last, a day on which I also wrote to President Bush to offer our condolences and solidarity on behalf of the Irish people. Following that meeting, all the members of the Cabinet who were present went to the United States Embassy, where we signed the book of condolences. In addition, the Tánaiste and I held a press conference at Government Buildings, where we outlined the steps already taken by the Government and its machinery and announced the intention to have the national day of mourning on Friday last, as part of a co-ordinated response at European Union level, as a mark of respect to the victims and solidarity with the United States.
At the very time the attacks occurred, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, was en route to Gaza to meet Mr. Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority. Following consultation, the Minister continued his journey and held the meeting at which he underlined strongly the need for maximum solidarity with the United States at this time of great trial. President Arafat joined the Minister, following the meeting, in expressing horror and condemnation of the cowardly attacks.
At international and European level, too, a rapid response was put in place. An emergency meeting of the General Affairs Council of the European Union was convened the day after the attacks. I spoke to Mr Guy Verhofstadt, the Belgian Prime Minister and current chairman of the European Council, and Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Council took the first steps in preparing a co-ordinated EU response to these events. An EU wide day of mourning and solidarity was agreed for last Friday. That day, in addition to being marked by three minutes of silence across the European Union, was marked by a joint declaration by the EU Heads of State and Government, the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament and the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy. In addition to expressing solidarity with the United States at this time, the European Union in that declaration committed itself to a concerted and unrelenting fight against terrorism. In particular, the signatories of the joint declaration committed the European Union to tirelessly defending justice and democracy at a global level, to promote an international framework of security and prosperity for all countries, and to contribute towards the emergence of a strong, sustained and global action against terrorism. We must strengthen our intelligence efforts against terrorism and accelerate the implementation of a genuine European judicial area. This will entail, among other things, the creation of a European warrant for arrest and extradition, in accordance with the Tampere conclusions, and the mutual recognition of legal decisions and verdicts.
Achieving the aims set out above, while respecting the foreign policy and judicial prerogatives of the member states, will not be easy. It is essential that Europe be effective in fighting the threat of terrorism. Failure to do so will undermine our people's confidence in the ability of Europe to defend their essential interests. Failure to do so could also mean a repetition within Europe of an atrocity of the scale of last week's.
As a sign of our united commitment to making real and rapid progress on this issue, we will hold a special informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Friday evening next. That meeting which the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I will attend will review the full implications of last week's tragic events. We will review progress in the Justice and Home Affairs and Transport Councils, which will have met in the period since the attack to consider appropriate responses. We will also consider what new initiatives can be made to address the current impasse in the Middle East.
There is already a body of international instruments which set standards for our responses to international terrorism. The European Union also continues to co-ordinate efforts to collaborate with other states and groups of states in the fight against terrorism. It is clear that these efforts must now be redoubled to respond to this global evil.
We would all dearly like to believe that last week was just a bad dream, but sadly it was not. We now have to face the new and unsettling realities that are in front of us and many other new realities that at this time we cannot even begin to contemplate. In all of this grief and mayhem it is difficult to imagine what the future will hold. Never in recent history have we been faced with such uncertainty. The decisions and actions that will be taken will have a profound and immediate effect on our world for generations to come. Nobody can anticipate what these events will mean for the world economy.
Irish people clearly recognise, without any whys or wherefores, the magnitude and unmitigated evil of the crime that has been committed against the United States, its people, our people and the citizens of many other countries as well. There are injustices and unresolved problems all over the world, but there are no excuses for last week's outrage. There can be no justification of cold-blooded murder. Crashing airliners full of innocent men, women and children into crowded office buildings is wrong and evil on an appalling scale. It cannot be justified on any grounds and we must not entertain any efforts to offer justification.
Ireland has suffered more than most at the hands of terrorism and we will play our part in the fight against this insidious evil. Events of this nature affect and threaten us all. This is not just America's problem. The entire international community must work together on this. The perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of these awful deeds must be brought to justice.
I have no knowledge what specific actions the United States is now planning. The United States is a grieving and deeply wounded country. It considers that war has been declared on it. President Bush clearly has the backing of the Congress and his people for whatever actions he feels he must take. The US is a country governed by laws, respect for human rights and a passionate belief in all the values that we and the rest of the civilised world also hold dear. I am confident that, as President Bush and his advisers try to decide what to do, they will strive on all occasions to uphold these important principles which we all share with them.
The response to the events of last week must be a multi-layered one. I very much welcome the discussions that the President has had with other world leaders since last Tuesday. I believe this is indeed a time when the entire international community must stand shoulder to shoulder. The resolution passed by the UN Security Council last Wednesday was unequivocal in its condemnation of the attacks and stressed that those responsible for aiding, supporting or harbouring the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of these acts will be held accountable. The expression of readiness to take all necessary steps to respond to the attacks and to combat all forms of terrorism was particularly welcome. The resolution clearly states that international terrorism is a threat to international peace and security. No country can stand to one side in the face of international terrorism. Let me make clear that as the international community seeks to address the daunting challenges that we all face, Ireland will play its part to the fullest.
At the beginning of next month, Ireland will take over, for one month, the chair of the Security Council. Not for the first time, we will assume this new position at a difficult and challenging time. I can assure the House that we will discharge our responsibilities to the maximum of our energies and capabilities.
Every country has the right to self-defence under the UN charter. The United States has wisely taken time to gather available evidence on the sources of last Tuesday's attacks and to consider the most effective and appropriate form of action in response. The temptation to lash out immediately, with all available military might, has been resisted. I am certain that the United States will wish to avoid civilian casualties that might indeed compound an already difficult problem. The US understands the importance of ensuring that the response to these horrendous events should be proportionate, measured and focused on the pursuit of justice.
In addressing the immediate crisis, the international community must also ensure that we are not sowing the seeds for even greater catas trophes in the future. It is imperative that whatever actions are taken are clearly seen as measured, as targeting terrorism at its source and based on clear evidence. This must not be allowed to be portrayed as a war of religions. It will take considerable and concerted skill and effort to ensure that this does not happen.
It would be foolish in the extreme to presume that this State – uniquely in Western Europe – does not have residing within it persons who have sympathy for, or connections with, the type of extremist fundamentalist organisations suspected of being responsible for last week's appalling carnage. By the same token, we should not exaggerate this issue either. I should make it clear – despite some speculation here that has been wide of the mark – that there is no evidence available to us of any link between the atrocities in America and any person in this jurisdiction. The House will appreciate that it would be counterproductive for me to go into precise details about this matter, but I can tell Deputies that the security forces here are aware of the presence of a small number of non-nationals in this country who are of potential interest to security agencies abroad and will take all appropriate measures to monitor them. The House and the wider public can be assured that such surveillance will continue and where necessary will be intensified. The security forces will devote whatever resources are necessary to this task. Equally, I can make it clear that any evidence of criminal wrongdoing will result in immediate action being taken.
In this regard, a special meeting of the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will be held in Brussels next Thursday. On the agenda will be specific measures to strengthen the capacity of the European Union to combat terrorism, both in terms of the domestic law of member states and co-operation between them. I can assure the House that we will be to the fore in advancing the proposals which will emerge from that forum.
Here some reactions to the attack have regrettably lacked humanity. In particular, the attacks on a mosque in Belfast and the abusive calls received by the Islamic community in Dublin are to be condemned in the strongest terms. The Islamic community in Ireland and throughout the world has condemned last week's attacks. We have a significant Muslim community in Ireland and it is very important that we acknowledge their positive contribution to our society. This community is a respected part of our national life. We must not allow their good name to be damaged by those who carry out evil deeds in the name of Islam. Indeed, many innocent members of the Islamic faith died in the tragedy of last Tuesday.
The Government will continue to keep all aspects of this situation under the closest review. We will continue to keep in the closest contact with our friends in the United States, with our partners in Europe and with the other members of the Security Council of the United Nations. We want to see the international community taking action to overcome what Cardinal Connell rightly termed the cowardly, cynical and base evil of terrorism. We want that response to be firm and resolute while being measured and within the internationally agreed framework for such action.
We believe that the response must not be merciless. It must be measured and must not be indiscriminate. It must enhance the stature of those who carry it out, not diminish them, in the eyes of the world. It must form part of a sustained struggle to overcome global terrorism. It must be effective to neutralise the organs of terrorism which supported and carried out last Tuesday's atrocities. It must be an effective deterrent to future global terrorism. Above all, it must ensure that events like those of last Tuesday never happen again.
