John Gormley

Statement by John Gormley TD Green Party Chairman and defence spokesperson.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence have still not clarified Ireland’s position in relation to the deployment of Irish troops into Lebanon. In particular, they have made no statement about to the rules of engagement for an international force operating in Southern Lebanon. While Ireland will be attending today’s UN conference on this issue, we have as yet had no clarity from either minister despite repeated calls from this party. (more…)

Statement by Green Party Chairman, John Gormley TD.

The Council of Europe Report on Extraordinary Renditions vindicates the stance taken by the Green Party and shows that the Government have been misleading the public on the role of Shannon airport in this process. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs need to explain why they have denied that Ireland was involved in any way in extraordinary renditions. By facilitating these flights – by allowing them to refuel – Ireland is in breach of International Law. It is a further indication – if any were needed – that the Fianna Fáil/PD government could not care less about Ireland’s so-called neutrality.

The Taoiseach must now state unequivocally that Ireland will cease any co-operation with the United States in relation to extraordinary renditions.

Related link: Council of Europe report on alleged secret detentions (PDF format, 266K)

Trevor Sargent and John Gormley today sent the letter below to John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister, on the occasion of his address to Dáil Éireann. (more…)

Green Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson John Gormley T.D said today:

The news that George W. Bush landed in Shannon this morning and addressed American troops is further evidence of Irish Government collusion in the Iraq war. Interestingly, the Garda security provided for President Bush at Shannon exceeded that provided for the protection of Irish citizens in Dublin at the weekend. (more…)

Statement by John Gormley TD, Green Party Chairman, on Michael McDowell’s proposals for PoolbegPeninsula, unveiled last night in the Mount Herbert Hotel.

Any contribution to the debate on the future of DublinPort and DublinBay is welcome, but this proposal represents a rather late entry on the part of the PDs. The future of Dublin Port and the Poolbeg peninsula is being decided now, with the high-level review of state-owned ports, the Poolbeg Framework Plan, and the plans to locate a municipal mass-burn incinerator in the heart of the ‘new quarter’ proposed in the PD plan. As a partner in this government, the PDs have the power and indeed the responsibility to take action on these issues rather than attempting to distract the electorate with sketchy long-term plans. (more…)