Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I appreciate the Minister of State's reply. Perhaps he will convey to former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, my appreciation of his courtesy and co-operation during the period of his Ministry.

On Tunisia, is it the view of the European Union that the French Government should freeze the assets of the Ben Ali family, including those of the wife of former President Ben Ali and his extended family given that it is reported that the entourage left with a tonne and a half of gold and that the Swiss Government has taken the unusual step of freezing the assets of the entourage as it arrived? Is that a view that would be mirrored in the European Union, in particular in the French jurisdiction where I believe the extended family may have significant assets?

I understand that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has sent a team to Tunis. Is the European Union liaising with the particular team given that that office has reported 100 people have been killed?

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