David Norris (Independent)

It also happened with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Leader and I have suggested that we might, as a Chamber, boycott those committees on one occasion so that they simply cannot meet. They are treating this House and the Cathaoirleach with disrespect.

Perhaps we might also have a debate on foreign affairs, particularly the extraordinary behaviour of the United States of America in kidnapping the democratically elected president of a small Caribbean country. It is now clear from the press conference that, after a good deal of pressure, President Aristide was allowed to stay in the Central African Republic, but he was kidnapped. They were playing the same tricks in Venezuela, where they were caught by a very fine Irish television company with their hand in the jam. Now they are trying exactly the same trick again, and among their evidence is the claim that there is an Islamic threat. General James Hill, the chief of the US southern command, said the proof of the danger of Islamic terrorism was supplied by US citizens resident on Isla de Margarita, who reported a sudden increase in the number of young Muslims living on the island. It is a frightening thought that the Americans would use that as the basis for undermining a democratic government.