Minister’s visit to Cork cancelled
Mr DĂ©sir, the French secretary of state for European affairs, was due to arrive in Cork today for what was to have been the first official visit to the city by a senior French government minister in several years.
But the visit was cancelled last night following the gun attack on the Paris offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, in which at least 12 people died.
Dara Murphy, a Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central and the European affairs minister, said: âI wish to extend my sympathies to the families of the deceased and to offer my condolences to my French counterpart Harlem DĂ©sir.
âOur thoughts are with the French people at this difficult time.â
Communiations Minister Alex White said he was âappalledâ at the attack. âThis is an unacceptable attack on the core value of freedom of expression, in the media and elsewhere, that underpin democratic societies.
âIt is also a human tragedy and my heart goes out to the families of the victims.â
Mr Murphy was due to welcome Mr DĂ©sir to Cork today and accompany him on a series of engagements in the city over the next two days.
Key topics for discussion during the visit were to include enhancing air and sea connectivity between Cork and France to strengthen tourism, trade, and investment links, with a special focus on Cork Airport and the Ringaskiddy ferry terminal as ideal European gateways for prospective French companies looking to invest in Ireland.
Mr Murphy said he had hoped Mr DĂ©sir would be able to meet with members of Corkâs vibrant French community, many of whom are working in the maritime, pharma, and IT sectors.
Among the planned engagements were a visit to UCCâs Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre in Ringaskiddy, where researchers working on energy project, including Irish and French-led European projects, were to outline their work.
