Ireland and Australia were united in the fight against terrorism, Australian prime minister John Howard said in an address to the Dáil, but he acknowledged the differences between the two countries on the military operation in Iraq.
In his 20-minute address, also attended by Senators, Mr Howard acknowledged the differences between the two countries on agricultural reform in the Doha trade talks. But he said that "the world must not allow this trade round to fail".
Mr Howard, the third Australian prime minister to address the Oireachtas, said he respected and understood the differences between Ireland and Australia on phasing out export subsidies.
"I understand the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy to the Irish people and to the policies of successive Irish governments. I also understand that unless some progress is made on agricultural reform and subsidies, it will be difficult to make satisfactory progress on the current Doha trade round."
About 110 of the 166 TDs were in the Dáil for the speech, with most of the absentees on the Opposition benches and just over 30 of the 60 Senators present. While six Independent TDs boycotted the prime minister's address, four others issued a statement to welcome him to the House.
He said that "we live in a world that confronts the scourge and challenge of terrorism. In the fight against terrorism Ireland and Australia are united. None of us, no matter where we live or what attitude we take on individual political and foreign affairs issues, can regard ourselves as immune from terrorism."
Modern terrorism was indiscriminate, lethal and cruel, he said. "We all have a responsibility to meet and fight it and there is no single solution. It will need a combination of superb, high-quality intelligence, a strong military response where that is appropriate and justified, and importantly, a spread of democracy, especially in the Islamic world."
He said he frankly acknowledged the differences between Ireland and Australia on the military operation in Iraq. But "it would be a grievous error if in a democratically elected chamber I did not salute the bravery and courage of the Iraqi people who on three occasions voted in circumstances of most fearful physical intimidation."
The Australian prime minister, who praised Ireland's economic development, said his country was in its 15th year of economic expansion. "We have eliminated government debt and have the lowest levels of unemployment for some 30 years. This is a product of continuous economic reform. There is a lesson in this for both countries. In the modern, globalised world there is no turning back to economic isolation and protection. We live forever in a world transformed by communication and globalisation. Countries that have taken advantage of those developments should never turn back. That means Ireland as well as Australia and all countries that see themselves as modern, progressive economies."
Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon welcomed him to the Dáil and noted that when the first Australian prime minister to address the House, Bob Hawke, did so in 1987, "he referred to serious world problems of the time, such as the Cold War and apartheid in South Africa.
"It should encourage us in looking for solutions to the serious issues of today to find that what looked like intractable problems in 1987 were no longer with us a few years later."
The Ceann Comhairle also acknowledged Australia's support for the Belfast Agreement in 1998 and its contribution to the International Fund for Ireland. Mr Howard previously visited Ireland in 1977 as minister for special trade negotiations.
Dr O'Hanlon pointed out that total trade then between the two countries was £21.4 million. It was currently €900 million.
