Dáil debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

4:00 pm

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)

It is too early for the Minister of State to use Libya as an example. It is interesting that he says Egypt can determine the pace of its transition when different criteria were set down in the case of Libya. Western imperial powers stood back and propped up President Mubarak during the years to allow him to use brute force on his population and the West did not care as long as its interests were being protected. The West would be quite happy with any regime in the area if it was capable of keeping a lid on matters. Soundings of concern at this stage are the result of the people putting the spotlight on their oppression, on which the eyes of the world have focused the eyes. Ordinary people are instinctively opposed to a constitution drawn up by the military and they are correct. Rapid elections are needed. However, a democratic parliament that involves people from below is also needed, as is a programme to tackle economic questions giving rise to such strife and sectarianism at grassroots level.

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