Friday, May 9, 2008

Labour calls for debate on Burma

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MICHAEL O'REGAN

LABOUR’S FOREIGN affairs spokesman, Michael D Higgins, called for a Dáil debate on the situation in Burma.

He said it should be held next week to discuss the refusal by the Burmese authorities to allow UN and international aid agencies entry to Burma to address the catastrophe happening there.

“I do not suggest we have a set of statements because every member is in agreement on the tragedy that has occurred,” he said. “We should seek to have an all-party agreed motion on the significance of the refusal of the Burmese authorities to allow access to international aid agencies and the breach of international law this involves.’’

Mr Higgins said the Government had facilitated, and to some extent legitimised, the Burmese junta by allowing it access to the Association of South East Asia Nations.

The Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs, Billy Timmins, said the Tánaiste would be aware that “her new boss had a hand in discussions with the Burmese junta when Ireland held the EU presidency’’. He asked if the Taoiseach would use his contacts to ensure Irish aid agencies trying to get into Burma got visa waivers.

The Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, said the Government was concerned. “I am sure, after a discussion with the whips, a motion can be agreed upon and debated.’’

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times