Vol. 623 No. 2
1 Mr. Costello asked the Taoiseach the commemorations planned to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme; when these commemorations will take place; the persons who have been invited to attend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23792/06]
This year is the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, the attack having been launched on 1 July 1916. The Government held an official commemoration at the war memorial in Islandbridge last Saturday, 1 July. A special commemorative stamp has also been issued to mark the occasion.
Following appropriate Army ceremonial at Islandbridge, involving prayers and readings, the President laid a wreath at the cenotaph. Ambassadors from those countries which participated in the battle, namely the UK, France, Germany, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, India and Australia also laid wreaths as did Mr. Nigel Hamilton, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Royal British Legion. After the ceremony, a Government reception was held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Invitations to attend issued to political representatives North and South and to representatives of a broad selection of community interests. Members of the public also attended.
The commemoration of the Battle of the Somme is part of an overall programme that reflects the shared history and shared experience of the people of this island from all traditions in 1916.
Following consultations with the Royal British Legion, invitations were also extended to a number of military history societies and organisations established to honour the memory of those who served in disbanded Irish regiments such as the Dublin Fusiliers, the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment and the Combined Irish Regiments Association. In addition, representatives of veterans' organisations such as the Naval Association, the Irish United Nations Veterans' Association and the American Legion were also invited.
The Taoiseach always complains that we do not give due credit to the Government for the good things it does. I pay tribute to it on this appropriate commemoration, which while overdue was a splendid success and greatly appreciated throughout the island. The Government did a good job.
I too thank the Government for its input on this important commemoration. However, will the Government remind the British Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, about the Irish involvement in the First World War? Comments have been made that he mentioned a long list of countries, but somehow forgot to mention that Ireland played any part. Many families, mine included, which suffered significantly at the time and members of which fought in a British uniform, were hurt by the omission. Will the Taoiseach respond to that hurt?
I do not want to make too much of the omission. I know the royal family is aware of the Irish involvement. Prince Philip was here some time ago and he is very aware of the regiments involved and their flags. We will make the point. In fairness to the families, the nice thing about the day is that it is special for them. We have arranged a number of events for the families over the years. A few years ago we had a big reception in Dublin Castle in honour of the Dublin Fusiliers and this meant a lot to the families. We will point out the oversight and hopefully it will be reflected in some future contribution.
I join Deputy Rabbitte in complimenting the Government on the commemoration last Saturday. I have driven by the war memorial in Islandbridge many times, but never realised there was such a beauty spot in that area. We sell ourselves short in that regard. Will the Taoiseach consider getting the OPW, the Department of Defence, or whoever is responsible for such areas, involved in informing the public about such areas and that they are worth visiting?
When reading for our discussion of the Defence (Amendment) Bill and about not being able to participate in the UN force in Macedonia, I discovered there is a Celtic cross in Macedonia commemorating 300 Irish members of the 10th Division who were killed in the First World War. Would the Taoiseach consider commissioning an audit of memorials to Irish personnel killed abroad so we can have a checklist to inform people?
I and Deputy McManus are on the 1916 commemoration committee and we attended a meeting prior to the Battle of the Somme commemoration. Our committee is tasked with drawing up advance plans for how the centenary of 1916 and of the Battle of the Somme might be commemorated. Will the Taoiseach consider sending us some correspondence, through the official from his Department involved, outlining the way forward or explaining what is required as the committee is somewhat ad hoc currently?
I wish to acknowledge the work of the committee. It is ad hoc at present because we must consider how it should go forward. I do not wish to simply force a way forward because we need to discuss the best way to work this out. There is time available before the planning for the centenary so we do not need to make decisions over night. However, we should try to work out the best way forward and decide which projects to develop. A period of ten years may seem like a long time but it can pass quickly so we need to put plans in place. The Minister for Defence, Deputy O’Dea, will be involved.
The National Day of Commemoration will be next week, following which my staff will review all the events to consider the best way forward. I will raise with the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, and with the Defence Forces the issue of the memorials in various parts of the world. Irish people have been involved in a number of areas. There are dozens of memorials in Argentina to Admiral Browne and Irish people were also involved in Spain. The Irish contribution has been immense. In particular I note the Irish contribution to many naval forces. It is a case of combining all the commemorations.
The military museum has collected information on military flags used by the Irish. It was hoped to return some of the flags of the Irish regiments based in England to the National Museum in Collins Barracks which would be a fitting place for them. However, their release will involve diplomatic efforts but the Government will continue to try to achieve that. It would be a gesture by the British if they did this. The flags are sacredly held on to at very high levels. It would mean a lot to the families here if they were released.
The Deputy referred to the National War Memorial Gardens in Kilmainham. Some Deputies will recall how overgrown the site was a decade ago. I did not start the campaign to have it cleaned up and I will not take the credit for it, but there was a campaign a decade ago. The Office of Public Works, Dublin City Council and others have done a fine job. People can now be proud of the gardens, the cenotaph and the cross. It is a facility which the OPW will have highlighted as a place to visit as it is in the heart of the city near a large centre of population. I agree with the Deputy that many people may not be aware it exists.
2 Mr. Timmins asked the Taoiseach when the last meeting of the high level group monitoring the threat of terrorism took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23769/06]
Having regard to the security nature of the work of the national security committee, it would not be appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings or its proceedings. I can confirm that the committee met within the past month.
The committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises representatives at the highest level of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Defence, Foreign Affairs, the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. It ensures the Government and I are advised of high level security issues and the responses to them, but not operational security issues.
The committee meets as required and will continue to do so. In addition to their meetings, the members liaise on an ongoing basis to monitor developments which might have national security implications, in particular in the international arena.
With reference to an issue I have raised before, several bodies are involved in planning for national emergencies, such as this high level task force and the group chaired by the Minister, Deputy O'Dea. Will the Taoiseach agree we would be better served to have just one co-ordinating body? It seems there are too many people responsible and it is difficult to see the crossover between them. An international body has recommended the setting up of a single group underpinned by legislation.
My second question refers to the hoax bomb scare at Dublin Airport yesterday. Had this committee any role to play in dealing with this incident? Has the Taoiseach received a report on the incident? Were proper procedures followed? Is the Government satisfied the procedures in place are adequate to deal with such a situation?
In answer to the Deputy's first question, this issue was examined. The Deputy is correct that following the events of 11 September 2001, the office of emergency planning was set up to co-ordinate the work of the various emergency services in preparing contingency plans. The task force on emergency planning, chaired by the Minister for Defence, meets frequently to assist in that role. It was suggested there be one unit but the Minister for Defence, through the office of emergency planning and the task force on emergency planning oversee the general area of emergency planning in order to promote the best possible use of State resources and to ensure compatibility between the different emergency planning requirements. The possibility of amalgamating responsibility for managing emergencies in a single agency was raised in the report of the Emergency Planning Society. As I stated previously, substantial costs would be associated with its suggested approach. Its responses to different types of emergency require different skills, experience and resources. It has been pointed out that dealing with a maritime oil pollution incident is different from reacting to a foot and mouth threat. For this reason, primary responsibility remains with the agency with the relevant expertise and knowledge.
The office of emergency planning has been established on an administrative basis. It is appropriate from time to time to consider whether the work of the office needs to be supported by a statutory framework relating to emergency planning. The Government will consider any detailed proposals which the Minister in the light of experience may wish to bring in this regard. A consolidation of services would cause a large duplication of services into a single unit and the expertise might not be used that much. During the foot and mouth crisis, we were able to call on expertise from the veterinary college and the Department of Agriculture and Food and personnel from the marine institute can be called upon in the event of a marine issue. It would be a costly exercise to bring everyone into one unit and it is considered unnecessary.
The other issue raised by the Deputy is not related to the work of this committee. The airport police and the Garda Síochána co-ordinated yesterday's response to the incident in Dublin Airport. The Garda sought the assistance of the explosive ordnance disposal unit which arrived on site yesterday afternoon. The Dublin Airport Authority contingency plans for evacuation worked smoothly. It was necessary to evacuate the airport because the individual not alone threatened to throw a bomb but he also stated he had placed another bomb. The disruptive procedure was therefore necessary for the protection of the staff and the travelling public. The Garda Síochána and the explosives ordnance disposal unit were on hand quickly to assist.
I refer to a statement by the head of anti-terrorist operations in Scotland Yard, Mr. Peter Clarke. He stated he is very concerned in the approach to the anniversary of the London bombings of 7 July last year. Has there been any contact with Scotland Yard by the Garda Síochána or the high level group on the possibility of any heightened threat to this country?
Has the high level group been asked to consider the visit of HMS Ocean, the very large British warship involved in the invasion of Iraq? Was the high level group involved in the decision to create an air exclusion zone around that ship?
The Deputy is moving outside the scope of the question.
The work of the high level group monitoring the threat of terrorism is fundamental to my question.
The question only relates to its last meeting and not to any details of what the group might or might not have discussed.
To make the question any use at all, I ask——
That is the problem with these types of questions, which ask for the date on which there was a meeting.
There is hardly any point in coming in here if that is the only reason to ask a question.
The substance of this question cannot be widened beyond what is asked.
I will leave it at that. I know this ship was brought in to promote beer, but with regard to the cost to the Irish taxpayer of preventing terrorism——
I ask the Deputy to allow the Taoiseach to answer.
Does the Taoiseach have anything to say on the role of the high level group with regard to anti-terrorist operations when it is presented with such an obvious provocation or draw to terrorists?
I ask the Deputy to give way to the Taoiseach.
When any of these ships come in, the Garda and the Defence Forces are consulted and they express their concerns. As far as the high level group is concerned, a number of Deputies here — including Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte — know that it is better if we do not get into the issues in security briefings. There are always highly sensitive issues, and there is ongoing work and co-operation. It is happening every day across a range of areas.
Anything I might say would be unhelpful to the operations, although I am briefed on them from time to time. It is not that often, but it happens when there is a requirement. Senior people are involved in these issues, which take in security, intelligence and co-operation. There is a level of co-operation across frontiers, including Scotland Yard, Europol and Eurojust. There is co-operation with the United States on issues such as narcotics and arms.
It is an everyday issue, and Deputies can take it as such. There would be nothing helpful in me discussing these issues, other than to tell Deputies how the process works.
The Taoiseach's statement today was not very helpful either.
Have we ever had any simulated exercises in dealing with an emergency? These issues can be tested in theory but processes will only be put in practice if, unfortunately, an incident occurs. The best way to deal with this is to have a trial exercise.
When was the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents, NEPNA, last updated? A previous Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, sent around iodine tablets, which are now long out of date. Is there a proposal for a substitute?
The Deputy has gone well outside the scope of the question.
We will read the Fianna Fáil manifesto.
The issue arises in the event of an emergency following a possible terrorist attack on Sellafield.
I appreciate that but I have ruled on this for Deputy Sargent.
That was the reason the tablets were circulated in the first place.
Stocks are available to the best of my knowledge. The national emergency plan for nuclear accidents is evolving, and it is also on an international level.
The Deputy's first question was on simulated emergency exercises. There has been a number of these. I know that some at sea have been done this summer, and a very big one has been carried out in Dublin Airport. That was a simulation of a major crash, and all services were used. It took several hours in late spring. The exercises continue so that we can consider response times and difficulties that might arise.
There are approximately three exercises a year. Huge effort is put into them. There is now a dedicated staff working to determine responses and consider what happens with services in action. They report on what occurs and relevant organisations are engaged with on any difficulties which arise. A core group works on this service the whole time.
Has the high level group addressed the issue of the use of Shannon Airport by US forces? Has it addressed the Council of Europe report on this Government's complicity in facilitating so-called extraordinary rendition of prisoners?
The group does not deal with such matters. Line Ministers deal with that. Our policy is that we are totally opposed to rendition of prisoners.
3 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with an Iraqi parliamentary delegation during its recent visit here. [24577/06]
4 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach when he next expects to meet the President of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25547/06]
5 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the foreign visits he intends undertaking during the remainder of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25550/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, together.
On 21 June I met a delegation of senior political representatives from the main political groupings in Iraq. The delegation was visiting Ireland, both North and South, to discuss and learn from the Irish peace process. On behalf of the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mr. Nuri al-Maliki, the delegation conveyed good wishes to Ireland and the Irish people.
I reassured the delegation of the continued support of Ireland and the EU to help the new national unity government in Iraq to achieve unity, peace and prosperity for the people of Iraq. In the course of our discussions, I raised the matter of the murder of Margaret Hassan and I asked for assistance in this issue.
I will attend the ASEM VI summit in Helsinki on 11 September. I will also travel to Berlin on 9 October for a meeting with Chancellor Merkel. On 20 October, I will travel to Finland for an informal meeting of heads of state or Government. I will also meet the President of the European Commission and the college of commissioners on 8 November in Brussels. I will attend the European Council on 14 and 15 December.
When the Taoiseach met the Iraqi delegation, did he inform the members of which side he was on with regard to the Iraqi war? It seems to vary depending on to whom the Taoiseach is speaking. Did the Taoiseach raise the disturbing accounts of abuse of human rights? There are reported accounts of massacre of civilians. Has the Taoiseach made any complaint in this regard to the US authorities?
Does the Taoiseach accept now, three years on, that the invasion of Iraq was an unmitigated disaster for a majority of the people? The violence is worsening every day, and horror follows horror on a daily basis. The work of the suicide bombers is threatening to create a sectarian conflict in the country. At least with the benefit of hindsight, does the Taoiseach acknowledge that the invasion has been disastrous?
Deputy Rabbitte knows the Irish position in the two years that led up to the war, when we were on the UN Security Council. Our diplomats, and the Ministers of the time, did everything they could to avoid a war in the first place. That was the Irish position. We did some very good work on the Security Council, and our respected ambassador, Mr. Richard Ryan, chaired committees on the Security Council and put in an extraordinary effort to avoid the conflict, particularly without an explicit UN resolution.
When we were not on the Security Council, we did not have the same say on the issue. History will record that the work of Ambassador Ryan in particular was very helpful. It was helpful because he had good relationships and he was a senior diplomat. He tried hard to pull the Security Council together. That was not going to work later on anyway, as the American and British Governments had decided what to do.
My meeting with the representatives of these groups was not long, but I was struck by their determination to try to make a very difficult situation work and make the democratic process work. They pointed out that, unfortunately, their history has for hundreds of years, with various invasions and conflicts, always been horrendously violent. It is a sad predicament. All we can do is hope that with the current efforts of the United Nations, and Iraq's own administration, some sense of reasoning can be brought to the matter.
It is a very difficult position. The picture painted by the Deputy is the reality today, including suicide bombers trying to find locations where they can kill the maximum number of people. They attack places of worship, and how they can top that I do not know. The international community, especially those members who were so anxious to participate in the first place, should not abandon them now. There are many UN resolutions. The international community must try to assist them, not just abandon them in the short term because that is one of their biggest concerns as they move forward.
While my meeting with them was brief, I specifically mentioned some of the atrocities, the fact that the world looks at all these matters and that they cannot very well speak about some of the issues that happened and not follow issues in the future. I specifically raised that in the context of the Margaret Hassan case where we have been active on behalf of the family, both living in Kenmare in Ireland, in the UK and elsewhere, to achieve progress on this. The leader of the delegation gave an undertaking that they would try to help in this case. The assistance we seek in this case on behalf of her family is to find her remains. To try to do that at least for the Hassan family would do much to show people their humane concern.
Arising from Deputy Rabbitte's correct comment about the horrific incidents occurring in Iraq, did the Taoiseach raise with the delegation the issue, raised in this House on a number of occasions, of the apparently scandalous fraud that has gone on in the spending of the money — €23 billion — for the reconstruction of Iraq? I understand that 363 tonnes of $100 bills were shipped to Iraq and that there was a case being made for a UN investigation into the serious allegations of fraud in the way that money was being spent and misused. Obviously, the visiting delegation would know only too well the difficulties being experienced by ordinary people in Iraq because no facilities have been provided with the result that terrorism and that kind of activity has cut loose. Did the Taoiseach raise that with the delegation?
Obviously, Mr. Balkenende's Government's time is at an end and a general election has been called in Holland. Is it the Taoiseach's view that of the small number of remaining countries where a referendum is required in respect of the European Constitution, nothing will happen until after the French general election and after the general election in Holland, a country where there were two difficulties in the context of its referendum result which were more local than European? Britain obviously has a problem with holding a referendum on this given the run in to its general election. The Taoiseach confirmed in the House that there probably will not be a referendum in this country until after the next general election.
We have moved well outside the questions before us.
It is a European matter on Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive.
No. There is one question which asks when the Taoiseach expects to meet the President of the European Commission, but it does not say anything about the matter raised.
The heading is European questions.
It broadens it.
This is the last day of Taoiseach's questions for this session.
We will never move through questions if Deputy Kenny takes that broad approach. On account of it being the last day of Taoiseach's questions,——
The Ceann Comhairle will not have this again until next October. Will he show some leniency from his exalted position in that Chair? What is wrong with him?
——I am showing Deputy Kenny leniency on all his questions.
The Taoiseach knows the answers to these questions anyway and he is only too willing to give that valuable information to the nation.
A real Mayo man.
On the first issue about the UN involvement, all these matters must be watched carefully. I know, from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, that there has been regular discussions at the foreign affairs meetings about much of the activities and the UN involvement in them.
On the European Constitution, I had the opportunity of speaking to the Finnish Prime Minister who took over the European Presidency the other day. Having analysed their own positions, more countries are firming up their support for the European Constitution and it is in a stronger position than it was a year ago. Chancellor Angela Merkel and others are probably part of that reason. Finland will ratify, which will bring it to 16 countries. Another one will probably do so. Others are committed to do it as well. The British position was always that they would do it if everybody else did and that they would put the effort into it.
What will happen now is that people will wait. The Dutch situation could improve the position of the European Constitution. Regardless of whether it will, that is the generally held view. How the French deal with it will probably be the crucial factor. Will they try to seek to amend it, which a year on people realise will be much more difficult than some thought? Recently I noted that some are changing their positions, even from what they stated six months ago. They realise that cherry picking will not work. We will just have to wait for what happens next summer regarding the French position.
It will come back to the ratification of the European Constitution in some slightly amended format. There is no support, as Deputy Kenny will know from his own group, for opening up a convention. If the Dutch or the French need an annexe, change, clarification or schedule, that can happen. There is nothing wrong with that.
A declaration.
Yes.
Like Ireland got.
Yes. That is allowed within the procedures. People do not want to unravel all the good work that Deputy Gormley did on the convention, which I acknowledged, and to go back down that road again. I think it will come around.
Following the passing earlier this morning of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006, has the Taoiseach any plans to discuss with his EU counterparts Ireland joining the battle groups?
Following his visit to Finland, the Taoiseach acknowledged that the present draft of the European Constitution will not be adopted but he stated that there would probably be some alteration of some sort. Has he given any thought to that and what exactly he meant by some alteration of some sort?
Will the Taoiseach redraft or raise the present status of the Seville declaration given that it clearly stated that Irish troops would not be participating in overseas operations except where there was authorisation of the UN and there is now a long litany of language as to how Irish troops might participate overseas? Will the Taoiseach be revisiting and defining the Seville declaration so that it has some meaning?
I do not want to go into the Defence (Amendment) Bill other than to state — I discussed this with my Finnish colleague — there is a significant movement from all of these countries, the former neutral countries, to involve themselves in the battle group on humanitarian issues and not to encounter the difficulties we had previously in Bosnia Herzegovina and other countries. We will be able to play our part in that and it is good that we do so.
The Seville declaration is clear and that would form the basis of the European Constitution in whatever form. That will remain in it. It does not require definition. It is clear. I stated in this House at that time what it meant.
I cannot be specific about what amendments the Dutch or the French might examine. There is a live debate in both countries about the kinds of things that perhaps they would look to include in the debate. They must come to the conclusion of that. I am almost certain that will not happen until after the Dutch general election in the autumn and after the French presidential election next year.
On a point of order, did the Taoiseach state "the former neutral countries"? He stated that, did he not? He stated "the former neutral countries".
I said the countries——
He stated "former neutral", did he not?
I am not sure if I did or not.
He did.
What if I did? They have changed their position, as Deputy Gormley will know. There is a live debate in Sweden and Finland about joining NATO. They are changing their position fundamentally.
So are we.
We are not. We will find ourselves in a very different position from that group. The reality is they have moved their position whereas we have not.
Yes, we have.
During his meeting with the Iraqi parliamentary delegation, did the Taoiseach seek an account of the level of civilian casualties since the commencement of the war in Iraq? Is he aware the number is estimated at 43,000? Does he have information to shed light on the factual position? In light of his special facilitation of the ongoing war in Iraq, does the Taoiseach think it is incumbent on him to establish the true reality of civilian deaths and injuries?
I did not discuss those issues with the parliamentary delegation.
Will the Taoiseach seek the information?
How many Irish nationals live in Iraq? Has the State official lines of contact with them?
Our embassy has a small number. I recall seeing them at the time of the two kidnappings with the Bigley and Hassan families. There are Irish nationals in Iraq and contact is maintained. Those who are there sought to stay. The number is small but contact is maintained.
