John Gormley

Mr. Gormley: Does the Minister of State agree that Self Help is doing outstanding work in Uganda, Ethiopia and elsewhere?  I assume this is the reason that he initially accepted the organisation into the multiannual funding programme.  Will he explain why its funding has now been cut? (more…)

3. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld, the Government will reconsider its decision to allow the US military to use Shannon Airport; his views on whether the war in Iraq has destabilised the country and been counterproductive and that the coalition forces should set a deadline for withdrawal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39807/06]

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35. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will comment on the proposal by the Polish President, Mr. Lech Kaczynski, for a 100,000 strong European Union army linked to NATO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38107/06]

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39. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the deployment of Irish troops to Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38111/06]

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  72. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the recent deployment of Irish troops to Liberia as part of UNMIL; the plans for this to be Ireland’s final deployment to UNMIL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38108/06]

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Mr. Gormley: With regard to the memorandum of understanding between the members of the Nordic battle group, is it not the case that it does not include a reference to Ireland’s requirement for a triple lock or UN mandate?  Will the Minister lodge a copy of this document in the Oireachtas Library?  Will he arrange for a discussion on it given that it has far-reaching consequences?

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The Green Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs spokesperson, John Gormley TD, today called for a debate in the Dáil about a threat to bomb Dublin airport.

Deputy Gormley said that the threat from Omar Bakri Mohammed, that was revealed in the BBC’s File On 4/Newsnight programme last night, emphasised the urgent need for a change of Government policy on the use of Shannon Airport as a stopover for the US military in the so-called war on terror.

Deputy Gormley said: “Security experts agree that this latest terror threat is ominous and should be taken very seriously. Stepping up security to the required level could prove to be extremely expensive and, as we know from the London bombings, does not always work. It would be far wiser if the Irish government addressed the root causes of this threat: we are a high value target for terrorists because of our support for the US in Iraq. Over half a million American troops have travelled through Ireland on their way to Iraq.

“This war has been disastrous for the US. Those of us who predicted that the war would be counterproductive and destabilise the region have been proved right. It’s time now for the Irish Government to reassess its position. The policy of allowing US forces to use Shannon must be stopped and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, should urge the US to set a timetable for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq,” Deputy Gormley concluded.

Mr. Gormley: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the revelation that Ireland is now seen as a target for terrorist attack because of the Government’s continued support for President George W. Bush’s disastrous war in Iraq and the need for the Government to stop allowing Shannon Airport to be used as a military stopover for the war in Iraq, which, far from stopping terrorism, has increased its likelihood. 

An Ceann Comhairle: Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31

Mr. Gormley: The Government is about to sign a memorandum of understanding with our battlegroup colleagues on our participation in the battlegroup. Does the Taoiseach agree it would be appropriate to debate this memorandum of understanding—-

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Mr. Gormley: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss an issue of urgent public importance, namely, the killing of 18 Palestinian civilians, including eight children and four women, by the Israelis yesterday in Gaza; the failure of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to unequivocally condemn this attack; and the need for the Government and the EU to use all means to ensure there is a proper peace plan for the region which addresses the continued problem of settlement expansion on the West Bank and includes the main actors in the regions, namely, Syria and Iran. 

An Ceann Comhairle: Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.