John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I call on the Leader to allow for an extended debate on the Middle East, particularly in light of recent events. I was one of the people who believed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that there was an immediate threat to world peace.

I would also like to raise another issue which occurred during the week. A 13 year old suicide bomber was sent out from the Palestinian area. Telling an uneducated 13 year old to attach a bomb to his body and blow up other people is a most heinous act in an area where we have already seen heinous acts. I am sure that young child would have believed that if he had a stone that was big enough, he could have knocked the moon off its perch, if he was told that was possible.

I welcome the planned visit of the American President. We should remember that America is a second home for many Irish people. American Presidencies differ. Much of what President Clinton did for Ireland was admirable, yet I had huge difficulty with the introduction of partial birth abortions in the US under his Presidency. We should welcome the American President for many reasons.