Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Burton is correct in stating that I will be attending that summit meeting. Last summer I stated my views on the Zimbabwean regime when we were discussing the EU-African Summit. Some considerable time has been spent trying to arrange it. In fairness to the Portuguese Presidency, which is well positioned, it put a lot of effort into trying to make it happen over the past year and a half. I have nothing good to say about the regime in Zimbabwe and how it treats its people. I will obviously use my time to say a few harsh things about it, as will nearly all my colleagues.

To answer the Deputy's question, there is nothing to be gained from staying away from the summit. All our interests lie in helping Africa. I have worked extremely hard to invest considerable resources in overseas development aid in recent years. We have moved from a very small base seven or eight years ago to a very strong Irish NGO base and linkage base through the UN organisations throughout Africa. We are helping countries with HIV-AIDS, water supply, basic infrastructure, education and health services or whatever other services are necessary. It is in our interest to be there, to work, help and promote them and win further support for the causes these people represent.

It is a pity we have to deal with the Zimbabwe situation but I do not believe we should allow Zimbabwe to spoil or dominate the proceedings. Boycotting or staying away from the summit is an absolute waste of time and will have no value or purpose. It is always best in respect of these issues to go and say our piece. When Ireland held the Presidency of the European Union, it was suggested that we should stay away from a meeting to which representatives from Myanmar were coming. It fell to me to make the Presidency statement and we were able to berate Myanmar for its activities. It proved to be very productive and effective to have an international forum at which to speak. Anyone staying away from the forthcoming meeting is wrong. From the start, I said it was not something we would do.

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