Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State did not really address the questions I raised, I would appreciate it if he addressed them in his supplementary reply. What a load of balderdash we heard from Deputies Wallace and Clare Daly. They want to have it every way. They want to be against everybody and for nobody. We stand for the Venezuelan people. The Deputies are happy to see the political and civil chaos and upheaval, while saying we are hypocrites and they are right. However, they are as bad as Sinn Féin. Law, order and civil society are breaking down in Venezuela. We have stated we should support the interim presidency of Mr. Juan Guaidó, while calling for fresh elections in order that the Venezuelan people can make a decision. The elections should be fair, open and transparent. One cannot be against everybody and everything, while being for nothing. I have not heard any credible solution coming from Deputies Wallace and Clare Daly; they just want to bring forward competing agendas, which is fine.

Why did it take the Government so long to come to this position? What will the European Union do and what will Ireland's position be if we do not see open and transparent elections in the foreseeable future, which is what the Venezuelan people want? Will the Minister of State give some commitment to provide humanitarian aid?

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