Foreign Conflicts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2017

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

Questions (64)

Seán Crowe

Question:

64. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the arrest of five persons by the French police, with the co-operation of the Spanish police, in the Basque town of Luhuso (details supplied); his views on whether the arrests are a blow to efforts to promote the Basque peace process; and his further views on whether the French and Spanish Governments should instead promote and support a process of dialogue to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Basque Country. [3046/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government continues to support and encourage all efforts aimed at securing peace and stability in the Basque Country. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government welcomed the declaration by ETA of October 2011 that the organisation had decided on “a definitive cessation of its armed activity”. We continue to encourage all those involved to build on this step and work for a long-term political solution and lasting peace and reconciliation in the Basque Country.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the internal legal processes of two fellow EU member states.