Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004
17 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the attempts by pro-militaristic tendencies in the European Union and the media to construe the democratic victory of Senor Zapatero in Spain as appeasement of terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9899/04]
View answerThe elections in Spain were undoubtedly free and fair and the outcome reflects the democratic will of the Spanish people. Ireland's approach to the savage attack on Madrid was one of sympathy and solidarity with the people of Spain, reflected in particular in the attendance by the Taoiseach at the service of remembrance in Madrid on 23 March. Our response to this attack, which was not just an attack on Spain but all our democracies, was to ensure that there was a comprehensive response at EU level. To this end, the Presidency proposed a package of measures for consideration by our partners and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform convened a special meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers on 19 March to take this work forward. This was followed by further work on the proposals by Foreign Ministers under the Minister for Foreign Affairs' chairmanship on 22 March, which resulted in final agreement on the very substantive declaration on counter-terrorism at the specially scheduled discussion of EU Heads of State or Government at the European Council on 25 March under the Taoiseach's chairmanship.
By these actions Ireland, as EU Presidency, and all our EU partners demonstrated our solidarity with the people of Spain in response to this terrorist attack. The Government rejects the cheap and misleading suggestions to which the Deputy is referring, as I am sure do most Members of the House. The people of Spain have endured much over the years and to falsely attribute such motives to their free and fair democratic decision does them and democracy a serious disservice.
We look forward to working with the new Spanish Government when it takes office and to continuing the good relations that we enjoy with Spain.
