Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

When the Taoiseach met President Bush in Washington recently, he presented him with a bowl of green shamrock. Does he agree that it might have been more appropriate to present Mr. Bush with a bunch of red clover to symbolise the blood-drenched cataclysm that he and the rest of the US Administration have visited on the unfortunate people of Iraq? The fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq was four days after the Taoiseach tipped the cap to Mr. Bush. The recent meeting may have been the Taoiseach's last time, in his current position, to meet Mr. Bush. Did the Taoiseach ask the US President for an explanation of, or an apology for, the utterly fraudulent reason he gave the Taoiseach for the invasion? Did Mr. Bush offer any such explanation or apology? Many of us knew at the time that President Bush's explanation was an exercise in outrageous mendacity, although the Taoiseach professed to believe him.

Did the Taoiseach discuss the future of Iraq with President Bush? Did he ask him to get out of Iraq and to allow the Iraqi people to work out their future without the interference of the US? Did the Taoiseach discuss with Mr. Bush the Government's collaboration in the use by the US of Shannon Airport for troops on their way to participate in the invasion and occupation of Iraq? Did the Taoiseach pledge to continue that collaboration?

Following the Taoiseach's discussions in the United States, what is the current position in respect of the tens of thousands of Irish people who are living in fear of deportation because they do not have the proper papers to stay there? Did the Taoiseach get any new assurances, or any new hope of security, for those Irish men and women who wish to make their lives in the United States on a permanent basis and in peace of mind?

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