Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As a representative of the largest party on the left in the Chamber, I pay tribute to Fidel Castro. I ask the Leader to put time aside so we can make statements of sympathy to this great international statesman and hero of the revolutionary left. Fidel Castro was a giant. He was described as a man of the century, and rightly so. He led a heroic struggle against American imperialism and established an independent, sovereign and socialist state free from the stranglehold of its aggressive neighbours just 90 miles away. Cuba had previously been a playground for the US mafia under the brutal dictator, Batista.

Fidel Castro built a country free from extreme poverty and established health and education services that rank alongside the best in the world, an incredible achievement for a country that was under an illegal trade embargo by the most powerful nation in the world. Cuba's positive role in world affairs is often overlooked. It sent thousands of doctors to assist the most impoverished countries at the time, such as Honduras, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Angola, Laos and Algeria. Most recently, in October 2014, it sent 256 doctors and nurses to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea to join the efforts to contain the ebola outbreak. The US sent troops; Cuba sent doctors. This speaks to the values of the country.

Cuba has not only one of the best health services in the world, but also, perhaps, the fairest. This is illustrated by the life expectancy and low child mortality rates, statistics that compete with the global superpower of the US. Cuba has consistently managed to put roofs over its citizens' heads. There is no homeless crisis in Cuba. It has always managed to provide full employment. Its achievements are second to none. I pay tribute to President Higgins for his fulsome words of praise. Some of the nonsense that has been said in response to it is from the Ireland of a 1950's comic film. The only thing that has not been asked for is a prayer for the conversion of Russia.

Let us be clear. Fidel Castro was a great man. Cuba is a country to be proud of. I was proud to spend time there some years ago and saw the moving tributes in Havana to the hunger strikers. I recall the words Fidel Castro said at the time about our gallant men: "Let tyrants tremble before men who are capable of dying for their ideals, after 60 days on hunger strike." He was always a consistent supporter of unity for our country. Fidel Castro is one of the greatest world statesmen we have ever seen. As a socialist, I am proud of his record. I ask the Leader to set time aside so we can pay tribute and express our sympathies to the Cuban people.