Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I want to raise the issue of the recent disturbances in Kenya. I was in Kenya on the day of the elections and witnessed at first hand the queues forming at many polling stations as citizens sought to exercise their democratic right to vote. Naturally, I was disturbed and saddened afterwards to see the consequential riots and disturbances. As many Senators will know, Kenya was, up to these disturbances, one of the most peaceful, stable and vibrant countries in east Africa. Many Irish aid agencies base themselves in Kenya and target their operations from there into Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania as well as within Kenya itself. I am concerned about the potential impact this is having on our aid agencies. Will the Leader ask the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development aid to come to the Seanad and, perhaps, make a statement on the current state of affairs and how it is affecting the Irish aid programme, including our aid agencies based in Kenya?

I see this morning that the head of the African Union is concerned about the potential outbreak of ethnic violence and genocide in Kenya. Will the Leader impress on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, the need for the European Union to bring as much pressure to bear as possible, to try to resolve the situation in Kenya and east Africa?