Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank speakers for contributing to the debate. I was approached by Deputy Barry Andrews last week, who suggested that, as a result of the AWEPA meeting, a sizeable proportion of the House wished to pass an all-party motion and I readily agreed.

I am disappointed that the House will divide on this matter. Deputy Higgins stated that we agree on the issues involved in the crisis in Zimbabwe and must decide how to proceed. Ireland has been consistent on this matter and has made its position clear publicly and at relevant EU meetings. Ireland made clear its reluctance to hold a summit with Robert Mugabe in attendance. We have used every opportunity to insist he would not be present at the summit. Deputy O'Keeffe exhorted the EU to stand firm. This summit would not take place if we adopted a holding firm position on this. It would mean that the entire effort to get the rest of the countries in the African continent in a wholesome way would have fallen. The overall context of the summit was to deal with issues of governance and capacity building of African Union member states on an equal basis, not just dealing with Africa and the EU in the positions of recipient and donor as has been the case for far too long. This is particularly the case in respect of climate change, as Deputy Cuffe stated, and issues such as human rights and humanitarian assistance. From a national and EU point of view we believed that attendance is a far better option than staying away and claiming a pyrrhic victory which would, in effect, mean shouting from afar.

A Member asked how many member states would not be represented at head of state level. The countries are the UK, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. It is illustrative to point out that none of the Irish NGOs of which I am aware have called for us to boycott this meeting.

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