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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said Ireland respects the courts and constitution of Spain, but has criticised violence witnessed over the weekend in Catalonia.
Spain is a “friend and ally” of Ireland, he said – adding that he was “distressed” by the scenes of violence.
Police violence over the weekend marred an independence referendum for Catalonia banned by the central government.
The vote yesterday saw riot police move in on polling stations in Barcelona and other towns and cities in the Catalan region to stop people from voting, in some cases baton-charging and firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
More than 800 people received medical attention as a result of the crackdown, according to regional authorities.
The Taoiseach told reporters in Dublin today that it was particularly concerning to see such scenes take place in a European city. He said he didn’t believe violence provides solutions, adding that it only leads to “radicalisation”.
He also said that Ireland recognised the territorial unity of Spain, and will not recognise the result of the referendum.
Catalan authorities say just under 90% of those who voted backed independence. Turnout was just over 42%.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said, meanwhile, that it is ”following closely the ongoing developments in Catalonia”.
“With regard to the political context, it is the Government’s view that it is for Spanish citizens to determine for themselves their preferred constitutional and political arrangements through their own democratic institutions and in keeping with the rule of law.
“The reports and images of clashes, violence and injuries are of concern. There are strong historic ties between the people of Ireland and Spain.
Upholding the constitution and the rule of law in all its aspects is a key underpinning of a modern democracy. It is important now that steps are taken to reduce tensions and to find a way forward together. In this context, we note that the Spanish Prime Minister has indicated that he will discuss the issues with all of the parliamentary political parties.
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont today called for international mediation in the crisis, which has pitted his regional separatist executive against Madrid.
He said there “must be the presence of a third party, which must be international to be efficient”.
Just as he spoke to reporters, Catalans took to the streets of central Barcelona in droves to protest the violence, cutting roads to traffic and shouting: ”The streets will always be ours,” a phrase that has become the slogan of the pro-referendum movement.
Madrid had warned Catalan separatist leaders they could not hold the vote in a region deeply divided over independence, stating it was illegal and courts had ruled it unconstitutional.
But they had retorted that Catalans had a right to decide on their future and pressed ahead anyway.
Ireland ‘should be at the forefront’
Elsewhere today, Gerry Adams welcomed the result of the referendum and said the voice of the Catalan people “must be respected by the Spanish government and the international community”.
He said in a statement:
The people of Catalonia faced violent repression from the Spanish state over the last twenty-four hours.
Despite this attack on the democratic process, Catalans have voted for their independence.
The international community, especially the European Union, has an obligation to ensure that Catalonia can pursue the course of self-determination without fear. They must also hold the Spanish authorities to account for the violence that has been carried out against the Catalan people.
The Irish government should be to the forefront in defending Catalans right to decide their own future.
A number of Sinn Féin politicians, including MEP Lynn Boylan and TD Eoin Ó Broin travelled to Catalonia at the weekend as guests of the Catalan government to observe the referendum.
- With reporting from AFP
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The council should be reported to the EU and have their funding withdrawn until remedies are taken. Appalling behaviour.
@Dream Of Jennie: No, the already under funded council have to contend with on a weekly basis the cleaning up of the parks and public thorough fairs in its constituency due to the irresponsible users of the amenities, trash is rampant after every weekend in these places( way to many to name) there are enough empty cans and bottles you could stack ‘em all and they’d reach the moon. Blockading them albeit probably fair would create a lot of municipal problems on an already strained infrastructure.
@Dream Of Jennie: They assumed responsibility which is more than most government departments or state funded bodies would do. They will restore it and life will return to it. It is not lost forever.
@Thomas: sorry, but it’s not as simple as that. Ecosystems are not that easy to restore, particularly when so well destroyed as in this instance. Looks like somebody thought of the simple engineering solution, not the environmental one!
@Thomas: I guess you are a council employee then!
@Thomas: the animals living in the wetlands weren’t offered temporary housing before their homes and food sources were destroyed! Where do you think they are? Even if the silt is removed (an incredibly difficult thing to do) most of the plants and animals making up the site are already dead.
All to save a few grand in dumping fees. No 1 someone needs to loose there job over this. No 2 it’s goes to show you how much South Dublin county council cares about the residents in tallaght. No 3 not a thought for Mother Nature. Jesus I am livid. Someone will burn for this.
@HONEY BADGER180: I am fuming I am after throwing a bowl of good soup at the kitchen wall. She’s going to burn me now. Jesus how could this happen
@HONEY BADGER180: back to work no lunch now. I hope the person who signed off on this gets burned hoop for a month
@HONEY BADGER180: Lose their job… This is the public service, no chance.. Big pension instead..
@MickN: and a promotion too most likely
@Eric Davies: maybe the next Health Minister. After all the present one got the job with zero qualifications.
@HONEY BADGER180: The residents more than likely put the “in excess of 40 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish” in the lake in the first place
@Peter Buchanan: it’s often “residents” who illegally dump rubbish. If you specifically mean the people beside the lakes in question I suggest you learn how rivers work. Also no residents of anywhere caused the silt build up in the lakes so I’m really not sure of the relevance of your comment to the destruction of a natural habitat.
@HONEY BADGER180: I hope your right.
While Varadkar tells the UN to impose carbon taxes on us to protect the environment. There’s no consistency of communication in any area of govt.
@SmidgenDublin: he’ll fly around the world in the government jet, with his ‘disappointed’ demeanour, while chucking world class levels of guilt at everyone. This while he is the leader of the worst country in EU for tackling emissions.
@Artugal: while he’s in new York see all the SUVs driving around those big V8s leo tax the irish for other countries indulgence
Somebody needs to lose a job over this.
@Sean: This is Ireland, the land of no accountability. John Delaney is still on the FAI payroll FFS!
Given that we have declared a climate emergency and are in the midst of an extinctions crisis, all parkland and public land management needs to be done in conjunction with ecologists for minimum disruption to wildlife.
Public space can and should be managed for both people and nature.
@Tom Jordan: They actually claim to be following”best practice” in their destructi… sorry, management of this area, but fail to cite what exactly this is.
It’s more than bizarre that they were actively engaged with experts about the area, appeared to have reached an agreement, then ignored it. You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s destruction was the desired result from the outset.
Political sound bites have changed towards the environment but the attitudes haven’t. South Dublin council is controlled by FG and FF, hopefully folks remember that in the ballot box.
@Rochelle: SDCC is controlled by independents (6) and SF (6) making up 50% of the crew
@Tony Harris: who makes up the other 50% ?
@Eric Davies: 1’s and 2’s from all the other party’s
@Tony Harris: Wikipedia says council control is with FF + FG + Greens and 1 Independent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dublin_County_Council
@Rochelle: The ‘council’ in this case means the public servant employees in the executive, not the elected councillors. Your local county councillor doesn’t sit in an office signing off on orders to take silt out of lakes.
@Rochelle: And who if not FG or FF do you recommend they vote for?
So they remove it and dump it near by? Doesn’t make sense.
@Bobby McLoughlin: I may be somewhat cynical in my old age, but will this essentil de-silting and cleaning of the area by the local council result in the it being rezoned, sold off to a developer and built upon.
@Arch Angel: That’s the conclusion I came to.Something not quite right about this.
So dredge the rubbish up and then dump it near by as is? Seems like a lazy solution. How is that best practice?
@Bobby McLoughlin: County Council and Best Practice?
That’s a good one.
@Fozz: its what they claim in their statement
@Bobby McLoughlin: Seems that they dredged up muck, picked out the rubbish and then put the silt back beside where it came from. Not defending it, but it does look like crossed lines rather than malice- the average machine driver mightnt necessarily recognise an important habitat.
@George Salter: Did they pick the rubbish out though? Videos I have seen still looked to have rubbish in the silt
@Bobby McLoughlin: I have no idea. There is a level of diminishing returns involved, in general.
Just half-arsed promises as usual. This is sickening! SDCC needs to be held accountable for this and a definitive plan of action outlined/ money made available to regenerate the wetlands. Anything less is NOT acceptable and is a complete disgrace.
Action please, not words!
@Jen Sandford: It’s utterly absurd that the council decide to take it upon themselves to “enhance” this area with out consulting anyone, this is done by destroying it.
There, doesn’t it look much better now lads?
While we have a leader trying to convince the world of our Green credentials, this is the real Ireland back home. Pitiful.
Heard an interview with someone from the HIS on the radio this morning. This wetland was only discovered a few years ago as it didnt exist previously. He was saying the theory as to how it formed was in fact the dumping of silt waste at that location previously. Doesn’t excuse in any way what happened but at least gives reassurance that the site maybe recoverable
@Vocal Outrage: Errr, shouldn’t the “Herpetological Society of Ireland” be the HSI and not the HIS…?
Check out my Twitter I have pics from my drone of them doing it
Who cares about nature. Job well done in my book!
@Socky Varadkar: your book is Ann and Barry so that tells us everything about you.
@Socky Varadkar: feeble troll.
@Paul Whitehead: don’t insult trolls!
Large site for sale only councillors friends need apply . FPP for dog box apartments .
Sure the councils next target is 10 hectares of woodland and wetlands near Saggart. Zoned residential and to be bulldozed for housing. Is it any wonder that biodiversity is declining faster in Ireland than any other country in Europe?!
@Lorraine Mac Rory: I’m sorry but housing trumps biodiversity at the moment!
SDCC removed all the silt and illegally dumped rubbish and…..
……..Illegally dumped it?
It seems from the picture that the wetland was dry. If we wet it again it would destroy all the ecology that existed there
The very same thing done to our beaches. The rubbish is gathered and then buried on the beach for the tide to take care of. Utter disgrace!
They should be charged over this and serve a sentence also. Let this one go and they will do it again.
Imagine a farmer doing this?
opw made a mess of the pitches in Na Piarsaigh GAA limerick yet nothing about it since as to who will be brought to account either.
Idiots. Name names. Who authorised this
You can’t build on silt…..
have your say