Seanad Report: The circumstances surrounding the Irish and the Basque peace processes were completely different because there was a foreign occupier in Ireland, Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins said.
He rejected criticism by Martin Mansergh (FF), who said that he had been very disappointed to see a group of MEPs denounce the Basque peace process in terms that were in part incompatible with the Irish peace process. The Basque peace process would merit a debate in the House so that people would be better informed about it, Dr Mansergh suggested.
Referring to a motion on the Basque process that had been taken in the European Parliament last Thursday, Mr Higgins said: "I make no apology for backing our Spanish colleagues in relation to the motion. There is a total difference between what's happening in Spain and what's happening in this country. In this country we have a foreign occupier. In Spain we don't. It's an internal problem and it should be resolved at Spanish level."
Jim Higgins (FG) said he disassociated himself completely from the attempt to block the Taoiseach from addressing the European parliament. "I had no hand, act or part in it. One of the things we pride ourselves on when we go to Europe is that we try and wear the green jersey as much as possible collectively and we leave our political divisions at home."
Martin Mansergh (FF) said that anyone who believed that when the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern wanted to go electioneering, he opted to go to Strasbourg, was not in touch in reality.
House leader Mary O'Rourke said that despite what Mr Higgins had stated about wearing the green jersey, there had been a very disturbing report about a particular MEP - she would not name her - who had said that the Taoiseach was not welcome. A sneaky effort had been made to undermine Mr Ahern.
"We're very annoyed about that on our side of the House and we won't have it," added Ms O'Rourke. "He's going to go and he's going to acquit himself wonderfully. She can sulk in the corner if she wants to."
It was odd that people such as Mr Higgins and his party leader Enda Kenny seemed to have been unaware of what had been happening, she said.