Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support what has been said in regard to Ethiopia. Senator Henry, some other colleagues and I met yesterday with representatives of the opposition parties in that country who strongly suggested to us that the Minister and Government should protest more strongly to the Ethiopian authorities about what has happened since the general election.

We in the Oireachtas demonstrated a commitment to democracy in Ethiopia by sending election observers last May. Unfortunately, once the election was over, the Ethiopian Government has tried to fiddle the results in order to retain power. As we contribute quite significantly to the Ethiopian economy, we must make strong representations and protestations to the authorities there in demanding that the will of the people be respected and that those opposition candidates, supporters and party workers who have been jailed in the aftermath of the election be released forthwith.