Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ireland is setting a very dangerous precedent, namely, interfering in the internal affairs of another country. Let us look at this self-proclaimed president we are recognising. Until recently, he was a pretty obscure character in a marginal far-right group that was more associated with street violence. He was better known outside Venezuela, particularly in certain Washington circles. There is a credible assumption as to who exactly is pulling the strings there. Let us now look at the Venezuelan constitution and exactly when the President of the National Assembly could temporarily assume the presidency of the country where there is an "absolute" lack of a president-elect before taking possession. There was no lack of a president-elect. On whose advice did the Government recognise this self-proclaimed president, whose actions are actually contrary to the Venezuelan constitution? Did we get some independent international law expert to advise on this? It is going against our tradition of peace-building.

Our colleagues, Deputies Clare Daly and Wallace are in Venezuela as we speak. I hope the Tánaiste will make some time to meet them next week when they bring back direct information on what is happening there.

See this speech in context