Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no meeting of minds here. The strong view of the Government is that this is an international peace mission. It is creating peace and free and fair elections. It is concentrated on ensuring there is a democratic government in that country and that all minorities are included in whatever government is elected. That is our job and I am very proud of it. I cannot accept that Deputy Daly's arguments hold any water. Our intervention and the intervention of the United Nations is about lives being saved, human rights violators being brought to justice and a new democratic regime whereby every citizen has a vote. It is about making sure there is a safe, peaceful, democratic government in that country. Anything less than that would lead to increasing strife, civil war and other abuses.

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