Seanad debates

Wednesday, 2 April 2003

Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq: Statements.

 

10:30 am

Photo of Paul BradfordPaul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to discuss events in Iraq. This House debated war in Iraq in advance of the conflict. As the situation unfolds over the next few weeks, we must continue to speak out on the issue.

Television coverage was raised in the debate and has been mentioned repeatedly on the Order of Business, with Members rightly criticising the coverage we have seen. The conflict has been presented by some media outlets as if it were a video game. Members have stressed that real war is not a video game and will result in the realisation of its full horrors, with killing, destruction, deprivation and fear being visited on the people of Iraq.

In spite of complaints about some coverage, however, we now enjoy the advantage that every citizen in the world with access to a television can see on a daily basis the destruction and civilian suffering the war is causing. If there is any positive result to such up-front coverage, it is that no one can remain immune to the pain and suffering being experienced in Iraq.

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