David Norris (Independent)

I ask the Leader to request that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, appear before the House to update Senators on the position regarding the report of the arms inspectors in Iraq. Many people are extremely concerned that the United States, very much an interested party in this matter, has hijacked the report. I heard a rather weak explanation from the United Nations in which it claimed it could not photocopy the report. If the United Nations cannot photocopy a document which can be carried through an airport in a plastic bag, the organisation is seriously under-resourced. It is extraordinary that one of the principal protagonists in this row should take the material and not only photocopy it and have it in its possession, but also deny access to it to the other members of the Security Council, of which Ireland is one.

Apparently this morning's news reports used the word "edited" in the context of the report. What does "editing" entail in this regard? We are due to vacate our seat on the Security Council in about two weeks. We should not give a whimper of acquiescence to the United States on this extremely serious matter in doing so.

The situation is obviously escalating. One of the more sinister events has been the detention of the ship from North Korea with 12 scud missiles on board. It is very alarming that the United States is playing down the issue and I wonder why. As our membership of the Security Council draws to a close, we are entitled to receive an explanation. We should give strong backing to our representative on the Security Council to challenge the unilateral action of the United States. If this process is to lead us to war, which I hope it does not, it must be clear and transparent and people must be confident that matters are being handled properly.

With regard to taking all Stages of a Bill in one day, I understand the technical problem facing the Leader in that the date on the Bill requires that it be passed before the end of the session. However, this is not a precedent as, unfortunately, it happens every year coming up to Christmas. This year is not as bad as most of the 14 other years I have been in the House. I call on the Leader to apply pressure on Departments to ensure they do not leave important legislative proposals until the end of the session and ram them all through at once. The problem is a reflection on the Departments rather than the political parties.

Yesterday was International Human Rights Day. I understand the Government proposes to reintroduce a new version of the legislation which incorporates the European Convention of Human Rights, possibly through the Dáil. Will the Leader indicate the current position? I understand the changes in the Bill will further erode the rights of plaintiffs. This matter should come before the House so that it may be discussed in a non-partisan manner.