International Developments: Statements
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-21
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Malcolm Byrne (FF), Wicklow-Wexford

I thank the Minister of State for being here for this very important debate. As others have said, we could touch on any number of topics from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing horrors we are seeing in the Middle East to what has been happening in Sudan. I think what is important in this House is that Ireland reasserts our values, the things that have always been important to us when it comes to dealing with conflict and with international relations. That is a commitment to multilateralism, to the values of human rights, to the rule of law and democracy, and to a commitment to free and fair trade. Trade is one of those things that ensures we lift people out of poverty. When nations interact and depend on each other, the opportunities for conflict diminish. Unfortunately, we are seeing the concept of investment in free and fair trade attacked as we are seeing human rights, the rule of law and democracy attacked. It is important that we call out those values, whether it is in the case of allies in the United States. I do believe that in the case of Venezuela it was a breach of international law taking out Maduro but I believe also, in respect of Maduro's regime in Venezuela, which led to systematic repression and oppression and arbitrary detention and where nearly 8 million refugees fled that country, that those actions need to be called to account. I find it somewhat odd hearing certain people calling on representatives of the Government not to attend the White House on St. Patrick's Day although they felt it perfectly acceptably to attend the Maduro presidential inauguration. I do believe that has to be called out.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-21/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-31T01:00:51+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-21