David Norris (Independent)

In light of the continuing violence in Iraq, the sustained interest this House has shown in Iraq, the resignation of Dr. Kay and the report from the American Government's inspectors that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, we should continue to monitor the situation, especially in the interests of the civilian population of Iraq. I hope the House will continue to take an interest in that matter.

I support my colleague, Senator Tuffy, on two matters that she raised, one of which is the significance of the reports concerning suicide. I am particularly concerned because the level of suicide is much higher among young males and among young gay males it is seven times the incidence among the rest of the population. Surely that is a matter that should be highlighted because it is of concern.

I also support the Senator in seeking a debate on the situation regarding Israel and Palestine. Along with some other Members of the Oireachtas, I have just come back from that area. What is happening there is quite horrifying. It is important that friends of Israel should signal to the people there what is being done in their name because much of the time they do not know what is happening.

An enormous concrete wall that has been erected with machine gun posts and so forth is visible in reality only from the Palestinian side. On the other side, it is less than a third of the height and it has been decorated with landscape paintings. People stopped in a vox pop survey on the highway in recent weeks all said they thought it was a sound barrier. We have a duty to alert people to what is going on. On that matter, I have prepared a motion, which my colleagues are considering. I understand I will be allocated Private Members' time next Wednesday and I intend to devote my motion to this subject.