Allister turns the tables on Fianna Fail
08 September 2006
During Question Time in the European Parliament DUP MEP Jim Allister turned the tables on Fianna Fail when their leader in Strasbourg, Brian Crawley MEP, raised the subject of international terrorism.
Mr Crawley tabled a question asking the Council of Ministers to report on actions taken over the last year to fight international terrorism. Mr Allister used the platform provided to turn the focus back on Dublin, with this barbed supplementary:-
"On the subject of combating international terrorism, can the Council tell us what steps it took to encourage the return of three IRA members convicted of international terrorism in Colombia, who later took refuge in a Member State of the EU – namely Ireland – and continue to enjoy sanctuary there? Is it not clear that the EU undermines its credibility as regards taking a stand on international terrorism if it acquiesces in Member States harbouring wanted and convicted international terrorists?"
There was no meaningful response from the Finnish Minister, but commenting afterwards Jim Allister said, "Among all the platitudes which pour out of Europe about fighting international terrorism, it was opportune to remind the Council of Ministers of their shameful inactivity over the Columbia Three and the fact that an EU Member State continues to give these convicted international terrorists full sanctuary. Dublin hopes the issue will fade away, but on the international stage of the European Parliament I do not intend to make it that easy for them."
