Shane Ross (Independent)

Will the Minister of State convey a question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs? I recognise that sometimes matters are dealt with behind closed doors, but if nothing of that nature has yet occurred, why does the Government not make direct approaches to President Mugabe rather than go through either the EU or President Mbeki? Why does the Minister for Foreign Affairs or the Taoiseach not make a direct approach to President Mugabe to tell him, in unequivocal terms, that we do not approve of his activities or the circumstances in which he is holding elections?