07 February 2006
Chairman: The Minister of State has arrived, but I will allow Senator Henry to make a very brief comment.
Senator Henry: Thank you very much, Chairman. I attended a meeting in Ethiopia last autumn at which I stressed that Ireland's commitment was to the people rather than one or other political party. We will work with whatever party is in government. While it is very important to ensure our aid to the Ethiopian people continues, there are certain things we must point out to the government, with which we have a very good relationship. The fact that there are robust politics, to which Deputy O'Donnell refers, does not mean elected opposition members can be put in prison. It must be made very clear that they must be released. We are in a strong position to point out that in the not too distant past to improve the political climate on this island we had to release prisoners, despite a lack of enthusiasm about letting some of them out.
While I am glad various opposition members have taken their seats in the Ethiopian Parliament and wish more had done so, government changes to parliamentary procedures are unfortunate. That must also be pointed out. It is a pity that non-governmental organisations and academics are frequently regarded as a source of opposition rather than as bodies and people who can be helpful in the democratic process. I hope Self Help Development International will also be in a position to point this out. The Chairman and I met Mr. Berhanu Nega when he was here last summer. I am sure it causes him as much distress as it causes me to think that after the incredible vote he received in Addis Ababa, he has been incarcerated for months. I hope he and other opposition parliamentarians and their supporters will be released as soon as possible.
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