Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

No. While we appreciate the opportunity to speak on the motion, we must record our opposition to the way in which the arrangements have been made which sees a number of party leaders, myself included, not being given the opportunity of meeting Prime Minister Howard of Australia. That is at variance with precedent.

I recall meeting on the same basis as other party leaders, Prime Minister Blair and former President Clinton. I am reminded by my colleagues of the Green Party in Australia that it would expect this country to afford equality to Prime Minister Howard in terms of facilitating a meeting with the Green Party here. Senator Bob Brown and my Green Party colleagues in Australia will have more to say on this issue. It will reflect badly on Ireland that it sees itself in such a partisan fashion, and it reminds us of some of the partisan politics we are trying to get away from, and which have bedevilled Australia as well as Ireland and other countries in the past. We should ensure censorship does not take place for the visit and cause rancour.

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