John Gormley

Mr. Gormley: It is only right and proper that the House should have the opportunity to debate the deployment of 150 Irish troops to Lebanon.  I said yesterday that the Government might have been reluctant to debate this matter in the House because, strictly speaking, it is not a chapter 7 mission, although Condoleezza Rice has said that, for all intents and purposes, it is such a mission.  Like Deputy Ó Snodaigh, I ask that the Minister clarify the position.  Lebanon did not want it to be a chapter 7 mission but it seems that the United States has managed to manoeuvre matters in such a way that it may become such a mission.

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Gormley calls for Irish ban and withdrawal of public investment in weapons manufacturers

Statement by John Gormley TD, Green Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs spokesperson:

“The Israeli government’s use of vast numbers of cluster bombs and munitions in Lebanon is deeply disturbing and ought to be condemned by the Irish Government. The claims that Israel was acting legitimately to protect its citizens is indefensible. Israel’s armed forces deployed cluster munitions extensively across civilian areas of South Lebanon in the dying hours of the conflict, a decision that was cynical, disproportionate and showed no regard for human life. The unexploded bomblets, which the UN has estimated to number 100,000, can lie undiscovered for years before exploding when accidentally disturbed. Children are particularly prone to injury. (more…)

Green Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs spokesperson John Gormley TD, reacting to news that Irish troops would not be among the first wave of UN peacekeepers sent to Lebanon, today said:

“The cautious approach adopted by Minister for Affairs, Dermot Ahern, is both understandable and welcome. The rules of engagement for any UN force need to be studied carefully and debated fully in the Dáil. The situation in southern Lebanon is still extremely volatile and serious doubts have been expressed about the durability of the ceasefire. Under these circumstances and while there is still a lack of clarity about the rules of engagement it makes little sense to deploy members of the defence forces.

“The Minister now needs to bring what influence he has to bear on his counterparts in the EU to press for a lasting peace settlement in the region, which would involve all of the parties – including Syria and Iran – and examine aspects of the conflict such as the Golan Heights and the future of the West Bank.”

The Green Party today urged the Government to be extremely cautious about sending Irish troops to the Lebanon. Green Party Chairman and Defence spokesperson John Gormley TD called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern and the Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea to outline precisely what the Government plans were in relation to troop deployment in the Lebanon. (more…)

The Green Party today called on the Government to ensure that no weapons of any description would be exported to Israel through Shannon Airport.

Green Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs spokesperson, John Gormley TD said: “We already know that planes carrying Apache helicopters for Israel have landed at Shannon. We also know that planes used for extraordinary renditions have refuelled at Shannon Airport. Shannon Airport has become a military stop-over with the compliance of the Fianna Fáil/PD Government. (more…)

Green Party Chairman and Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs John Gormley TD welcomed the decision of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to find five anti-war protesters not guilty of criminally damaging an American warplane at Shannon Airport three years ago. (more…)

The Green Party has condemned today’s statement by Israel that it has no intention of stopping its attack on Lebanon. Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson John Gormley TD called for international intervention to calm the situation and end the conflict before it escalates and spreads. (more…)

10. Mr. Gormley asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his speech to the UN high level conference on AIDS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23161/06]
   The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions 1 to 16 together.
  I received a personal invitation from the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, to attend the United Nations Special Summit on AIDS, in New York in early June.  The Secretary-General expressed his gratitude for the important advocacy role that Ireland has played with our European partners and for the significant resources that we have provided to reverse the trends of the epidemic. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: The purpose of the summit was to try to deal with the impasse that continues in the European Union following the rejection by the Dutch and French of the European constitution.  It seems that we will muddle along on the basis of this summit.  I have not seen any concrete proposals emerging simply because countries have different points of view.  The British believe the constitution is dead and do not want to know about it.  They were never enthusiastic about it anyway.  The French do not want to say too much because their people have rejected it and domestically it would not look good to suggest holding another referendum, as it would not be acceptable to the French people.  The Dutch are in a similar situation which leaves the Germans under Angela Merkel, who want to resuscitate the constitution and who are its main drivers. (more…)

266. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if it is intended to allow Irish fishing boats to fish in the waters of Western Sahara following the agreement between the EU and Morocco despite the fact that the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara has been found to be illegal by the International Court of Justice. [23588/06] (more…)