Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

It is now time for the Government to acknowledge that one of the Minister's predecessors made a mistake in facilitating the Burmese presence at ASEAN, the assumption being that moral suasion would work on Burma. It singularly did not. I appreciate the reference in the Minister's reply to the 2,000 prisoners still being held in Burma.

With regard to the discussions that the European Union and Ireland have from time to time with the Chinese authorities, has there been any significant shift in the Chinese support for the military regime? The Minister made reference to ethnic minorities. Is the Minister concerned about the major increase in the number of refugees who have poured over the Thai border and are now in camps, and the use of military action by Burma against these fleeing minorities?

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