Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2017
43. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the continued imprisonment of Vice President Orio Junqueras and the Interior Minister of the former Catalan Government Joaquim Forn; his further views on the continued imprisonment of two civic leaders (details supplied); and if he will raise concerns regarding their continued detention with his Spanish counterpart. [53151/17]
View answerI am aware that judicial proceedings are underway and as these are matters before the Courts, it would not be appropriate for me to comment.
We are all concerned about the crisis in Catalonia.
The resolution of the crisis needs to be within Spain's constitutional framework and through Spain's democratic institutions. It is for all Spaniards – all Catalans and all Spaniards – to shape their own constitutional and political arrangements, through their own democratic institutions and laws.
Elections have been called for 21 December in which all of the parties can participate and which will give all Catalans a voice.
I hope that after these elections, regional autonomy can be restored.
