Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I am grateful to the Minister of State for his reply but it is rather depressing to hear that so little can be done. I put a number of points to the Minister of State. I understand the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, is in New York today raising the issue with the President of Sri Lanka. In that regard I trust the international community will support the Secretary General in defending the right of James Elder to express his views. Is the Minister of State not concerned at the use of the international media during the final days of this conflict? The LTTE has not sought independence for some time. Rather there are many sections of the Tamil community simply seeking recognition and parity of esteem in negotiations. Those who contacted the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs, which discussed the issue, spoke of the necessary conditions for peace talks. At the same time the Sri Lankan Government announced it was on the verge of a military victory. This has led, in turn, to the removal of Tamil civilians into what are effectively holding camps or concentration camps and this includes many young children. In fairness to James Elder, the person expelled, he drew attention in his work to the mistreatment of children on both sides, the point made by the Minister of State regarding the use of civilians, especially children, as human shields. Mr. Elder addressed this point. Is it the case that we can expect the Minister for Foreign Affairs to use his influence to support the efforts being made very directly today by the Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, to address this issue?

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