Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I speak on this matter on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs who cannot be present today. The ongoing tragic situation in Zimbabwe has struck a chord here in Ireland, as was made clear in the all-party consensus on the issue in the Dáil on 15 May. Ireland and the EU continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to put in place the necessary conditions for free and fair elections before the run-off vote on 27 June. A credible election process demands basic minimum standards, including an end to the current conditions of pervasive intimidation and violence by state authorities. EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Zimbabwe at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting in Brussels last Monday. In that debate, Ireland urged that strong political pressure on the Mugabe regime be maintained until the crisis is resolved. The EU has again publicly called on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure a level playing field and a secure environment so that the results of the second round will reflect the free and democratic will of the Zimbabwean people.

Ireland continues to support Zimbabweans in a practical way at this time. Total Irish Aid funding for the people of Zimbabwe, including humanitarian support and health care provision, came to more than €17 million in the past two years. The Government is planning to continue this support, through UN agencies and international and local non-governmental organisations, in 2008. Ireland fully supports the existing EU measures targeted against those responsible for bringing Zimbabwe to its current sorry state, and would be open to considering any further measures which could be effective. However, the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy and the indifference of the Mugabe regime to international condemnation have greatly reduced the effectiveness of international pressure on the Zimbabwean authorities. In the circumstances, Zimbabwe's neighbours, who have the greatest influence, bear the greatest responsibility to act — perhaps South Africa most of all, as Senator Ross said.

We believe that African countries can and should show leadership with regard to Zimbabwe. I believe there is a strong sense of shock and outrage in southern Africa at what has happened in Zimbabwe in the past two months. On Monday, EU foreign ministers called upon the Southern African Development Community, SADC, to continue to engage with strong determination with the Zimbabwean authorities. Irish and EU ambassadors have been in contact with our partner countries in southern Africa to convey our concerns about Zimbabwe and our support for decisive action to resolve the crisis. Ireland welcomed the emphasis put by the SADC leaders on strict compliance with the rule of law and the SADC's own principles for the conduct of democratic elections. We recognise that the political culture of the region is such that much work is done behind closed doors. Whatever methods are used, our focus must be on the results achieved on the ground.

We support the work which the SADC and the African Union have done in monitoring the first round, and urge them to continue and increase their presence both on 27 June and in the weeks leading up to polling day. Ireland would support additional credible international monitoring of the election process, if this is possible. However, from a practical perspective, unless international monitors are granted visas and given access to polling stations and count centres, they simply will not be able to observe the process. If it becomes possible to send an EU observation mission to Zimbabwe, Ireland would support that.

The Irish ambassador to Zimbabwe was in Harare for the election period and will travel there again as necessary to continue to monitor the election process until it is finalised. We applaud the courage the Zimbabwean people have shown in exercising their right to vote on 29 March, despite the conditions in which the election was held. The Government strongly condemns the attempts which have been made to alter the election outcome by fraud, violence and intimidation. The Government remains committed to doing all it can to support a peaceful and democratic outcome in Zimbabwe. We stand ready to respond appropriately to any opportunity to work with a democratically elected government of Zimbabwe, a government which is committed to the type of reform that will secure the long-term well-being of its people.