The Government was urged to raise human rights issues with Australian prime minister John Howard during a debate on a motion paving the way for his address to the Dáil next Tuesday.
Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt said it was the first visit to Ireland by a prime minister from the Liberal Party of Australia and, given the close historical ties between the two countries, it was a landmark occasion.
"The prime minister's visit to Ireland provides a valuable opportunity to build on the historically close and increasingly dynamic relationship between Australia and Ireland and to further pursue our mutual interests in expanding trade and investment, people-to-people links and practical co-operation in areas such as research and development, information technology and education."
Fine Gael spokesman Bernard Allen said that Mr Howard's premiership had not been without controversy. "In this decade, international concerns about the war in Iraq, multi-culturalism and the determination of Iran to obtain a nuclear capability have exercised the Australian administration more than most."
There was a real friendship between the two countries, he added. "As always, friends must be able to speak plainly with each other and our Government should be able to raise with Prime Minister Howard any issue that concerns them, either in terms of our unique relationship or in matters of international politics."
Labour's foreign affairs spokesman, Michael D Higgins, said he had no difficulty in wanting to deepen the relationship between the peoples of Australia and Ireland, but "Mr Howard brings particular baggage" with him.
"He has pioneered putting Australia outside the ambit of international law. He has shown no respect for human rights." Mr Higgins wondered if the Iraq issue would be raised.
"As this House has already heard, Mr Howard has supported the principle of pre-emption, which places a country outside the ambit of international law."
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said Mr Howard would visit Ireland as a representative of all the people of Australia and, therefore, should be accorded a dignified and inclusive welcome in the House.
"His and his Government's involvement in the war in Iraq is, of course, an issue of great concern to me and other members of the House. However, it is also a concern for the more than 50 per cent of the Australian people who openly oppose their armed forces' presence in Iraq."
Joe Higgins (Socialist Party, Dublin West) said Mr Howard was not welcome in Ireland. He said the Australian premier is a "warmonger, complicit with Mr Bush and Mr Blair in the criminal invasion of Iraq".
