Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I wish the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, every good wish in his new appointment and welcome the new Minister.

Will the Government make time available next week to discuss the refusal by the Burmese authorities to allow UN planes and other international aid agencies entry into Burma to address the huge catastrophe that has happened there? I do not suggest we have a set of statements because every Member is in agreement on the tragedy that has occurred. We should seek to have an all-party agreed motion on the significance of the refusal of the Burmese authorities to allow access to international aid agencies and the breach of international law this involves. Will the Tánaiste provide a substantial time slot to address these issues?

The Government facilitated, and to some extent legitimised, the Burmese junta by allowing it access to ASEAN. It is important we acknowledge that was a mistake.

See this speech in context