David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have the luxury of being an Independent Member, which I find quiet useful. It allows me to be undiplomatic from time to time but I do this in a way that I do not think is hostile. I am friendly and well disposed to the United States, which I am sure will come as a huge relief to that immense country.

Let me preface my question by stating I have been on this committee for a long time. In the old days, it was simply covering the Department of Foreign Affairs, the then Tánaiste, Mr. Dick Spring, added the human rights unit to the Department. That became a very significant element of its work.

The Chairman raised the issue of preprocessing at both Dublin and Shannon airports, which is very welcome. He also introduced the idea of military preprocessing, which is something that I would be interested in, particularly because I was very much involved in the campaign to expose the question of rendition, which I am glad to see the Obama Administration has very largely rejected. Trade promotion is very important. It has been very positive and I think we can be very proud as Irish people of our positive contribution to the United States in terms of companies building up very considerable resources.

In the committee we are used to blackmail, we have instances with China, if we dare to raise anything such as the question of organ harvesting, Falun Gong, Tibet and so on. Today we will be dealing with Russia. We have all received blackmailing letters, some of which were very pathetic, from Russia, stating that if one were to dare to take up the case of Mr. Magnitsky, we will withdraw adoption rights.