Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support the motion. If we had a plebiscite system and this request was put before the people for commendation it would be approved because every citizen would want our country to develop and implement an ethical foreign policy. When I read the wording of the motion I wondered if the Government would dare oppose the proposal by coming up with a ham-fisted amendment. Once again, it did not surprise me and produced the amendment on which the Minister spoke. It is disappointing that there is not unanimous support for the motion from our Independent colleagues because it would clearly represent the way the Irish people would wish our foreign policy to be implemented.

In defence of his amendment the Minister spoke about good intentions not being enough. He said we live in the real world and must try, to the best of our ability, to anticipate the outcome of our actions. What can we do in the various fora where we can play leading roles? We are now an established part of the European Union and at a time when new countries are joining the EU, Ireland can play a leading role but have we played our role in Europe to the maximum degree from a foreign policy perspective? We could make more progress on a number of areas including the Darfur question, Zimbabwe and Burma. Using our role in the European Union we should attempt to force greater European action to resolve those problems.

The problems in Darfur, which I have raised here on a number of occasions, continue to shock. They do not make front page headlines or the television coverage they deserves but the situation there is shocking and the European Union could and should be doing much more to demand and help implement a solution. Our Government should take a stronger line in that regard at European level.

Regarding Zimbabwe, most Members of the House will remember the situation in the former Rhodesia and the hope we all felt when the majority community was allowed to vote and dictate its own future but that hope and expectation has turned to despair. There should be a greater degree of political activity and response from our Minister on what is happening in Zimbabwe. I welcome Senator Ross's raising of the issue in the House last night because the disgraceful actions of Robert Mugabe, in particular the dreadful attacks on his own people, must continue to be highlighted.

Burma was mentioned by Senator Ryan. There is an opportunity for the Irish Government at EU level to keep that matter at the top of the political agenda.

Regarding the United Nations, where Ireland has played a long and distinguished role, we should be to the fore in reforming the United Nations as part of our broader foreign policy. While the UN has worked well over the years the new world order requires a new approach. A new management structure is required for the UN and a different type of funding. We should play a leading role in the reform of the United Nations and be sufficiently independent, not just on the European stage but on the world stage, to put UN reform at the top of our agenda.

There are many regions of the world on which Government pronouncements could and should be stronger, for example, China and the persecution of the practitioners of Falun Gong. A presentation was made to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and the human rights sub-committee recently on the harvesting of organs from prisoners in what I would call concentration camps. It appears practitioners of Falun Gong are being targeted and Ireland should strongly express its views to the Chinese Government, not just to the ambassador in Dublin but further afield, and state clearly that the persecution of anybody in China, be it Falun Gong practitioners or members of other religious denominations, goes against everything for which we stand. We should not be afraid to do that.

Mention of China brings me to the issue of Tibet, which has been raised frequently and very effectively in this House by Senator Norris. This is yet another area of human rights concern worldwide but the growing economic development and expansion of China is making us too cautious in our willingness to call a political spade a spade. Ireland should make regular representations to the Chinese authorities on those issues.

The arms race was referred to by Senator Ryan. The Cold War is over but there has been a shocking speeding up of the arms race at a time when new countries are emerging with the possibility of nuclear weaponry. We must take a strong stance on the issue of nuclear proliferation. The nuclear issue is being resurrected in France and Britain and that gives us an opportunity to take a strong political stance on this issue. Our Government should not be silent on the matter.

Successive Governments have had a strong record on the issue of overseas aid and development. It is one area where the benefits of Irish foreign policy and the support of the Irish people is having a positive impact in the poorest countries worldwide, and I want that to continue.

The development and implementation of an ethical foreign policy should be at the core of the Iveagh House agenda. The motion before the House is worthy of support and I am disappointed that the Government amendment detracts from it.