Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

That aspect of the motion is simply incorrect. I congratulate Senator Hanafin and Senator Ormonde, who already responded on these points.

I support the view that Ireland has a very important role to play. We must express our voice in world affairs, especially in matters relating to human rights. Small nations such as ours can, and do, make an important and valuable contribution in advancing the protection of human rights. Our neutrality places Ireland in a very special position around the globe. It is widely recognised and respected and enables us to play a full, measured and constructive role in the volatile modern world. Our Government, ambassadors, diplomats and NGOs carry out critically important work both in individual cases and in support of wider human rights issues.

Senator Hanafin referred to "rogue" areas. It is clear that large areas of the Middle East, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Tibet, Burma and Palestine are corrupt. There is no fair or impartial administration of justice or of political systems. There is no civilised level of human rights and, in certain instances, blatant abuses and deteriorating humanitarian situations exist.

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power, on the work he has done in the Department and I congratulate, equally, our colleague, the Minister, Deputy Micheál Martin, the team in the Department and those working with the Department, on their work to date in actively raising Ireland's concerns on a number of fronts. In the Middle East Ireland has been to the fore in ensuring that the EU conveys its serious concerns about human rights protection to both the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities. The Minister visited the region and directly raised matters of concern on human rights, access for defenders of human rights and compliance with international human rights law, among other matters.

Ireland has consistently called for genuine power-sharing government in Zimbabwe and for the strengthening of sanctions against supporters of the Mugabe regime who are involved in violence or human rights abuses. At the United Nations Human Rights Council we have been an advocate on the human rights situation in Darfur and Sudan and we have emphasised the importance of dialogue between the Chinese government and the representatives of the Dalai Lama——