Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to make one point arising from our earlier discussion. Our excellent reputation will be severely tarnished if Irish companies get involved in tax evasion and tax avoidance in African countries.

On subhead C, I presume the key outputs continue to be the maintenance of peace and stability and support for better mutual understanding. However, we will make a mockery of this budget unless we deal with human rights issues involving certain prisoners in Northern Ireland. Peace and stability will be undermined if these issues are not addressed. The response from the Tánaiste to my questions on this subject is that the Department is monitoring the situation as it affects Marian Price and others. I will not go down the road of discussing their political views because I am concerned about their human rights. If Ms Price either leaves prison as a skeleton or dies in prison, peace and stability will be severely undermined.

The Defence Forces have earned a superb reputation for peacekeeping but I am concerned about Irish money being spent on peacekeeping operations which involve armies from other countries with questionable reputations. Members of some of these armies have been involved in the rape of young women, robberies and assaults.