Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was reminded during my recent visit to Cuba of the enormous historical links that exist between Ireland and Latin America. Apart from anything else, there are half a million or more citizens in that part of the world who claim Irish descent. There has been a huge change in the politics of that region. I commend Presidents Obama and Castro for the new accord which has developed and for the courage they have shown in terms of the initiatives to normalise the relationship between their two countries. However, I think we can play a more positive role because while the US President has used some executive powers to remove some aspects of the blockade, it still remains in place.

Ireland could play a very positive role in encouraging a complete end to the blockade.

Trade between the State and Latin America is worth €3 billion annually. I am convinced trade between the entire island and Latin America could be improved if we were imaginative about it. I met some of the negotiators involved in the Colombian peace process. I very much welcome the positive role certain countries - Norway and, in particular, Cuba - have played in that peace process. The Cuban President, Raúl Castro, hosted a press conference at which the Colombian President and the leader of the FARC rebel group shook hands, which was a remarkable breakthrough. A timeframe of six months has been set for achieving a final agreement.

I also welcome the appointment of Deputy Eamon Gilmore as the European Union's envoy for the peace process in Colombia and I wish him well in that role. Sinn Féin is committed to providing whatever support and help it can to anyone in the region. Given our background, the Government can play a role in this regard. However, we must ensure bilateralism prevails in the Colombian peace process. It must not only be about ending war. While ending the war is crucially important, we have to build democracy and peace and this must be based on people's rights. A bilateral cessation would be very helpful in Colombia because a unilateral cessation by one side is in place at the moment.

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