Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Libyan situation is an internal matter and coups and attempted coups are commonplace in Africa. The external interference from countries such as the United States is worrying. Lessons seem not to have been learned from Somalia or Iraq and there is an ongoing situation in both Sudan and Egypt.

What makes the Libyan situation special? Purely and simply, oil does. Libya should be helped to settle its problems but that is up to the Libyan people. Those who oppose Gadaffi did not follow democratic means; they took up arms against their leader. They cannot expect support from democratic countries; countries that themselves insist they do not talk to terrorists, no matter what we think of the despot. It was put succinctly by Kevin Myers in today's Irish Independent; Gadaffi now faces an armed revolt against a Government that is recognised by the UN and the EU. We in Ireland and the European Union must maintain the integrity of this position and resist any inappropriate intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign state like Libya.

See this speech in context