Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, welcomed the housing initiative announcement but deplored the fact that it was not made in either House of the Oireachtas. Everybody welcomes the initiative which is a wonderful advance. The reason the announcement is being made at the ICTU is that the ICTU made it a central plank in its discussions on the new programme. The Taoiseach is doing the ICTU the honour of announcing it there. We all appreciate the support all Senators have given on the issue of Northern Ireland.

Senator Henry raised the issue of the Filipino nurses and the military court announcement about Guantanamo Bay, which is disgraceful. Soon there will be no human rights left in any country in which the United States has an involvement. It is disgraceful that such a situation was allowed to develop. I feel strongly about the matter, as do other Senators. While we all love our links with the United States, one has to speak out when basic human rights are put to one side with such ignominy.