Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I would be very concerned about the forthcoming elections given the timeframe that has been allocated. The timeframe is running out in terms of the rules of the game being published or people being given notice as to who can and cannot participate. The essential requirement is that there would be a release of the political prisoners, many of whom are the leading lights of the opposition. I take the Deputy's point about the weakness of the Asian structure to deal with this issue. That remains the case. Some engagement has been initiated by the American administration. Our view is one of caution in terms of engagement. I am aware that when Carl Bildt, the Swedish Foreign Minister, hosted the Presidency, he had initial contacts and met with the Burmese Foreign Minister in Brussels with a view to ascertaining the possibility of engagement. Again, our view is that we believe in the maintenance of sanctions and would not, at this stage, support the easing of sanctions in lieu of more engagement.

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