Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When I drafted my amendment I had not seen the letter from the ambassador so was not influenced by it. My original objection to the motion was based on what I considered its unparliamentary approach. The approach would be fine in the case of a person on trial but it was not appropriate to Parliament. I note the difference between Parliament and the Executive. The point I raised at the very beginning was that the approach to the issue was unparliamentary. Whatever the atrocity, if we purport to achieve a result of benefit to the people who were offended, then we should do so in the best tradition of parliamentary democracy. The points raised are totally outside of our influence in most cases. I also received a telephone call from Mr. Browder, in which it was brought to my attention that other jurisdictions had made legislative changes. I fully respect that it is the right of any jurisdiction to make changes, but it does not necessarily follow that we as an independent national entity follow it. We are an independent Parliament. The fact the European Parliament has come to a particular conclusion does not necessarily mean that we must follow it either.