Seanad debates
Wednesday, 9 October 2002
Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion.
An echo of what we say will always be found on the world stage. We should be saying it here and should not try to push it under the Order of Business. We should be able to debate new developments on a regular basis. We should also be able to reflect Government policy where we would have a bilateral approach. We must be able to show that the address the Minister for Foreign Affairs gave to the United Nations General Assembly on 13 September is what we believe. It was one of the best addresses I have read and it proved conclusively that we are a neutral sovereign country and that, for all the good relationship we have with America and the role we want to play among world nations, we remain sovereign. We should be able to back up the Minister's address here the same day it is given in the United Nations. On both sides of the House people would have informative contributions to make. Because that opportunity does not exist we keep an eye on the Cathaoirleach, come up with a formula of words and rush through ten sentences. The media will pick up just two of those sentences afterwards.
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