Seanad debates

Tuesday, 13 May 2003

2:30 pm

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)

I support Senator Brian Hayes in his call for a debate on the drink laws. If the Minister sees himself as the new Fr. Mathew, I have no problem with it. Fr. Mathew was an excellent man. We certainly need another one in the 21st century. There should be a review of the full range of planning and licensing laws in the debate as they part of the problem. We, as legislators, ought to address the matter. There is also a report recently published on the levels of city centre crime which we should also take into account in the debate.

I support the call for a debate on recent events in the North of Ireland. I am not sure the word "information" was used. There is much disinformation from both sides on the matter. I also deplore the use of the word "execution" by RTE with regard to IRA activities of certain kinds. I do not believe it is in a position to perform executions as this country has abolished capital punishment. Any legitimate execution would be carried out by the State and the State has decided against it. It is not appropriate to use the word "execution" to cover paramilitary murders. It is appalling if the man concerned was involved as a double agent. It is disgraceful and we are entitled to know the full details of the case. I find it astonishing that it is Mr. Gerry Kelly of Sinn Féin who has intervened and become spokesman on what is quite clearly and exclusively an IRA matter. It worries me a little that it is that person who should speak in this way.

I absolutely agree with the suggestion of Senator Ó Murchú that there should be a national organisation to look after buildings of historical significance but in that case why did the Government abolish Dúchas, the organisation which could have done it? It seems extraordinary to abolish it, on the one hand, and then look for its return, on the other.

I ask the Leader to provide some time for a debate on No. 29 on the Order Paper which relates to the aftermath of the war in Iraq. I will not withdraw a single word of what I said in the run-up to that dreadful, calamitous war. It is absolutely essential that we require the aggressors to look after the civilian victims, not just Ali, who was photogenic in a horrible way when he lost his arms, but all the children, civilians, old people and women bombed in the war. There is a responsibility on the two Governments involved to provide a medical service for all the victims. We should review the whole situation in Iraq to assess the potential for a major cholera outbreak.

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