Radicalisation must be monitored across Europe, says Charlie Flanagan

Ireland supports the British and French bombing of IS in Syria but radicalisation must also be monitored across Europe, the Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has said.

Mr Flanagan said there was no intention of facilitating countries bombing IS targets in Syria or Iraq through the use of Irish airports.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, he also said money had been provided and the software was being completed to allow Ireland join the EU’s terrorist warning database.

Independent TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace have highlighted the use of Shannon Airportby the US for activities in the Middle East. Both say Ireland should discourage the French and British from bombing Syria and push for peace talks instead.

Mr Flanagan said: “Ireland is militarily neutral, we don’t engage in any military activity, nor have we ever done so. Our concentration is on the humanitarian matters.”

He said Ireland had donated €41m in humanitarian funds to Syria since 2012.

Asked about Ireland’s position on our neighbours bombing Syria and Iraq, he said: “We don’t engage in such action ourselves because of our military neutrality. We differ from the British and the French and others in that regard.

“Obviously we recognise the real need to counter Daesh [IS]. That’s a decision that has been made by our European partners and it is one we support. We support it, but we don’t actively participate. Our priority is the humanitarian aid.”

The UN this week criticised a bombing in Syria on a water plant which cut supplies for 3.5m people. It did not say who was responsible. Britain also admits its airstrikes in Syria could result in casualties.

Asked if Irish airports were used to facilitate airstrikes against IS, Mr Flanagan said: “There has been no request, I don’t anticipate there will be. If there was it would be dealt with. But I don’t anticipate such a request.”

He reiterated the Government’s position that a terrorist attack on Ireland was “unlikely”. “There isn’t any direct or specific evidence. But it’s always a possibility and that’s why we work with our international colleagues.”

Following the Paris attacks, Ireland was monitoring fundamentalists, he said: “What I’m doing with European colleagues is ensuring we engage in best practice in how to deal with radicalisation within communities. And ensuring there isn’t a level of isolation or neglect that would act as a catalyst for people to get engaged in terrorist activities.”

He said funds had been made available for software for Ireland to join the EU’s SSII database, which warns about suspected terrorists and criminals.