PARIS ATTACKS: ‘Terrorism can not be attributed to race or faith’ says Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald
All measures will be taken to prevent terrorists who pose as migrants entering this country, the justice minister has promised.
Frances Fitzgerald told the Dáil yesterday that terrorism cannot be attributed to race or religion.
However, she added: “All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that migration into this country will not be used as a covert route by those who seek to do us harm.”
Ms Fitzgerald said Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris do not change the fact that the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing Syria and other countries still exist and these asylum seekers must be supported.
“It is the fault of terrorists, and the communities which they come from or the faiths which they espouse should not be blackened by their evil deeds,” she told the Dáil.
Minister @FitzgeraldFrncs speaking in the Dáil today. #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/NhfqC3yjdG
— Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (@DeptJusticeIRL) November 17, 2015
“What happened in Paris on Friday night was a stark reminder of the dangers we face from international terrorism, but it did not change the fact that a human catastrophe involving many migrants still needs to be addressed.”
A minute’s silence was held in the Dáil yesterday to remember those who were murdered at the hands of Islamic State (IS) on Friday.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny led statements on the Paris attack, sympathising with those who lost their lives while condemning those responsible for the attacks.
French ambassador to Ireland Jean-Pierre Thébault and members of his staff were present in the Dáil chamber as Mr Kenny describes how “silence, perhaps, is the only adequate response to something so crazed, so mutilating, so annihilating”.
He said that the attacks, which killed at least 129 people, must be seen for what they are, “an attack on the fundamental values that are held dear, not only in France but in Ireland, throughout Europe and in the democratic world”.
These sentiments of sympathy were echoed by the leaders of the opposition, including Fianna Fáil’s Micheal Martin and Gerry Adams.
Ms Fitzgerald told politicians Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan is carrying out a review of any extra resources needed to with the possibility of any attack.
“The Garda Commissioner has assured me that priority has been, and is being, given to the training of specialist units who would be in the front line dealing with attacks,” said Ms Fitzgerald.
“Unfortunately, there are a small number of people here whose activities are a cause for concern in the support which they offer to international terrorists.
"They will continue to be monitored and where evidence is available they will face the full rigour of our laws.”
Independent Mick Wallace said the Paris attacks had put the troubles of the Middle East into context.
“My niece said on Saturday morning that, for the first time in her life, she got an idea of what it must be like to live in the Middle East, because it happens on a regular basis what happened in Paris.
"Can you imagine it that you couldn’t go to a concert restaurant or bar without being afraid to be killed? This is what these people are facing all the time.”
Expressing solidarity with the families and friends of the victims, Tánaiste Joan Burton said: “We know that terrorism cannot be allowed to win but we also know that some of the measures aimed at defeating terrorism run the risk of recruiting others to its cause.
“We know there is a balance to be struck and we should be forever conscious of the consequences of the decisions we take.”
Elsewhere, Ms Fitzgerald last night briefed the Cabinet on security measures ahead of discussions with her counterparts in Brussels later this week.
Defence Minister Simon Coveney outlined France’s request for assistance, whereby Ireland will examine sharing more data on terrorism suspects and the movements of individuals.
Irish troops may also be called on to replace French troops on peacekeeping missions, so France can use more soldiers for security purposes.
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