Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his indulgence. Unfortunately, Deputy Finian McGrath's mother passed away last night and he is unable to take this question today. I extend my condolences to him and his family.

I thank the Tánaiste for his response and for restating this country's support of the annual resolution at the UN on the embargo on Cuba. Perhaps the Tánaiste could go further.

It is interesting to note that the EU has taken a great interest in how the Cubans are dealing with human rights issues within Cuba but there seems to be a great reluctance to look at how the United States of America is dealing with the human rights of the Cuban people by continuing to enforce the embargo which is having a considerable impact on the Cuban economy and the health and wealth of the Cuban people. Given that George Shultz, the former US Secretary of State, said in June 2009 that the embargo had been a failure by every measure, would the Tánaiste use the close contacts that are available and have been highlighted this week through WikiLeaks and the American Embassy to convey the views of the Government that the Americans should finally lift the embargo once and for all and use those back channels through which the Americans get much information about the State?

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