Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I agree with what the Deputy has said. There is no doubt that the EU has a very important role to play, but the African nations surrounding Zimbabwe also have a role to play. It is necessary to gain more support. As the Deputy noted, some of the countries have not been forthcoming in that respect. Southern African states have a role to play in that respect.

The restrictions put in place by the EU are draconian from the point of view of a travel ban and a freezing of assets of certain individuals, members of Government and officials of the Government. At the end of the day, we do not want to reduce the humanitarian assistance that is provided for the Zimbabwean people.

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