Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

One reason I want a debate on this matter is that we tend to have to raise issues on the Order of Business and gradually people are being confused — traumatised, in fact. They are not being given the opportunity to have their views reflected by elected representatives in the Oireachtas.

When we had a debate on Iraq I went out on a limb, and I am glad I did so. I made a specific pronouncement which concerned me personally and I see no change in the situation except that the arguments which were coming from the protagonists, particularly from the international coalition, are now gone. Does that mean we just park those and forget them? Do we not revisit and analyse those arguments?

I call for a debate not just on the Middle East and Iraq but on the hypocrisy coming into international debate. If the Seanad gave leadership on this openly, honestly and with integrity we would prove the reason for a Chamber like this. Also, the majority of people, whose views are not being reflected, would then feel at last they had a voice in this democracy.