Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Here we go for another week. Is the Taoiseach prepared to revisit the Government's policy on this matter and bring it to the attention of the European Council, encouraging not only an Ireland free of GM foods but also a Europe free of them? That is very important.

Is the Taoiseach aware the Government, on behalf of this State, last week signed a deal between the European Union and Morocco which will allow EU factory ships to plunder — not too excessive a word — the waters off the western Sahara? The consequence of this is the further impoverishment of the poor people of Morocco. Does the Taoiseach accept it is hypocritical of the Government to be party to the exploitation of those waters while continuing to recognise the right of the people of the western Sahara to sovereignty and independence? Morocco is not a country with which Ireland or the EU should make international agreements, whether they be in our own interest or in that of Morocco, which is an unwelcome invading force in that region of Africa.

Did the Taoiseach raise the current troubles in East Timor with the Australian Prime Minister during his visit last week? Did he avail of the opportunity, in recognition of the significant awareness among Irish people of events there, not least because of the deservedly acclaimed work of Tom Hyland, to ask the Prime Minister about Australia's continued exploitation of Timorese gas and oil rights? What response, if any, did the Prime Minister make?

It struck me, as it did other Deputies, that the Taoiseach almost boasted in Mr. Howard's presence about the Government's role in facilitating the US forces' occupation of Iraq through the use of Shannon Airport. It came across as a most distasteful utterance on the Taoiseach's part. He should chew very carefully on such matters before boasting about them because, like the people of Australia——

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