Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is something incredibly hypocritical about speaking about undemocratic elections when the same people have no problem at all in having dealings with those who do not even bother masquerading about going through an election. I am speaking about the likes of Mohammed bin Salman and some of the other friends with whom the West has no problem engaging. What are the criteria for democracy, according to the Government? Is it whatever the Americans decide on a certain morning and whoever they decide to back? It is a case of all right Jack; it is good enough for us.

The Venezuelan economy is in a very difficult place. The recent visit by the UN special rapporteur made it clear that modern economic sanctions and blockades were comparable to mediaeval sieges of towns, with the intention of forcing them to surrender. This is about bringing a sovereign country to its knees and the Venezuelan people are suffering as a result. The poorest are out on the streets in their millions standing by their government, despite the existence of major difficulties. What is the solution and what are we for? Venezuelan society is incredibly divided and the opposition, in the main but not exclusively, is a revolt of the rich. As society is divided, there must be negotiations. In order to achieve this properly, the sanctions must be called off. The Venezuelans must be allowed to develop their economy without the blackmail continuing. For us to take part in the undermining of a sovereign nation is a terrible indictment of us, given that, almost in the same breath, we have recently recognised 100 years of parliamentary democracy in Ireland. It is absolutely shocking. Have we learned anything from all the coup attempts in South America and Latin America in recent years? I really hope we will change tack.

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