Mark Dearey (Green Party)

I thank the Minister of State for that detailed response, some of which alludes to what I and my party would like to see happen post the referendum in southern Sudan next year, which is the development of new scenarios to help stabilise the Darfur region in particular and develop democracy in the country. This may sound cynical but I urge the Minister for Foreign Affairs to use the leverage our €45 million funding provides us with to make known our grave concerns about the running of these elections. I recognise there is a delicate balance to be struck in terms of keeping some semblance of order within the country but, as the Minster of State said, the non-participation of opposition candidates raises serious questions over the democratic legitimacy of the final results. I welcome that frank acknowledgement, given that we cannot, as the Minister of State also said, deal with any impunity with the most serious crimes that could be envisaged. Given the Minister of State also acknowledged that, it is extremely important we continue to press for fresh elections. It is 24 years since the last multi-party elections. Let it not be another 24 years before there are fresh elections, rather let them be held within the next year. I urge the Minster of State to convey to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that whatever can be done should be done to bring such elections to bear to bed down democracy and secure a future for the people of Darfur and, at a self-interested level, to make the region safer for our own participation.

The Seanad adjourned at 3.05 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 5 May 2010.