Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I support the Fine Gael stance on this war. It is important to point to a few differences between the 1991 war and the current scenario. The main difference is that in 1991 Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait which he has not done on this occasion. Also that war had the backing of a Security Council resolution. The Fine Gael Party was keen to support the use of Shannon at that juncture. However, we are now creating a dangerous precedent whereby countries can take unilateral action without UN backing. That might be all right in the case of the US, which is a friendly nation, but what is to prevent North Korea, or any other country in possession of weapons of mass destruction, from taking unilateral action against a neighbouring country?

We all agree that Saddam Hussein is not exactly the nicest person in the world, but, unfortunately, he is only one of a few. President Mugabe is another undesirable, but we do not see America taking action against him. There must be some consistency. It is not fair to say that Saddam Hussein is the only world leader with a bad human rights record. Many other countries have an equally bad human rights records. Senator Dooley correctly pointed out that we have excellent relations with Britain and America, but we remain a sovereign State. A good friend should always be able to tell another good friend whether they are right or wrong. That is the sign of true friendship. We should not be rowing in behind these countries just because they are our so-called friends.