Brendan Ryan (Labour)

In relation to what Senator Brian Hayes was saying, we need a debate on what has been called the war on terrorism, because if ever something was manifestly not succeeding, this is it. Two countries have been devastated, as has Palestine, and as far as anybody can see terrorism is becoming more virulent, more extensive and more threatening to more people. We need to counsel those with much more power than we have to stand back and explore possible remedies for terrorism. If what happened in the Middle East yesterday is to be replicated day after day and week after week, it will push us in entirely the opposite direction to that desired by many who talk about the war on terrorism.

I invite the Leader to let us have some time before we adjourn to talk about the issue of terrorism in the world. We need to do a lot more than have one military invasion after another because that tactic is manifestly not working.