Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I visited Cuba, where I met the Vice President. There is a major interest there in dialogue with the rest of the world. There seems to be a fudge by the Minister with regard to the 2,000 people killed and the 3,500 injured over 47 years. This is the core issue. A small country is being attacked by groups based in Miami and we have nothing to say about it. That is unacceptable.

When we go on to the international stage, both at EU and UN level, we must highlight this fact and the case of the five people involved. In Cuba they are treated like the Birmingham Six. When one goes into pubs, restaurants and hotels, one will see pictures of the Miami Five on every wall. This is a major international human rights issue and the Minister should do his best to address it.

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