Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2013
100. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent reports of children as young as seven marching in Easter parades in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17252/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe incident referred to by the Deputy occurred at an Easter Parade commemoration in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast last month. This parade, which was organised by disparate strands of anti-Agreement republicanism, involved very young children who were pictured parading in paramilitary style clothing including black gloves, beret and black sunglasses. Regrettably, this is not an isolated example of terrorist supporting organisations and groups attempting to draw young persons back into a tradition of violence and in conflict with the forces of law and order.
Like every right thinking person, I condemn utterly such exploitative use of young children to glorify past violence and terrorism. To perpetuate a cycle of violence and the use of violence for political ends is to perpetrate an abuse of children. Ireland has long urged and endorsed the protection of children in conflict and post conflict situations. We have committed ourselves in the Paris Declaration of 2007 to protect children from unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces or armed groups as a cornerstone of our foreign policy. This deplorable incident reminds us that it is essential, particularly during this decade of centenaries, that historical events in Ireland are commemorated responsibly in a way which secures peace and advances reconciliation despite the legacy of violence which is an inescapable part of our history.
