Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

There have been many problems in Kenya recently and it is easy to anticipate the difficulties that will arise in respect of the elections in Zimbabwe next month. I am disappointed that there is no intention on the part of Irish Aid to send observers to those elections. A motion agreed by the House directed the Government to take particular steps in respect of voter registration in the context of support for NGOs and the protection of human rights. The fact that we are not sending observers or even taking notice of what is due to happen next month means that we are sleepwalking towards a repeat of events in Kenya. We should be less reactive and try to be more proactive in respect of Africa.

See this speech in context