Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I would welcome a debate on President Bush's visit to this country. There has been much misinformation on this in recent days, including the issue of diplomatic immunity. The Government has made it quite clear that that case does not arise and that the Garda Síochána will lead any investigations concerning the security of the US President. It is important that the police force of our sovereign State should do so. This will also help to dispel some of the myths surrounding suggestions that President Bush should not visit Ireland. It would be a major mistake to put such views on the record of the House. If we were prepared to abandon a visit by the American President, it would give a strange signal to terrorists around the world. Such a visit would obviously be of benefit to Europe and the Middle East.