Shane Ross (Independent)

I second Senator Norris's proposal that the Order of Business be amended so that we might have a debate on the Middle East. I endorse his sentiments that we should give President Bush a fairly hot reception when he visits Ireland. If we hold such a debate we will have an opportunity to redefine our very complicated relationship with the United States. Senators Dardis and White touched on the obviously positive element of United States investment, such as through Intel, which has been going on here for many years and has been of great benefit to the economy. However, that should in no way mean that we develop a political relationship with the United States whereby we have to kow-tow to its foreign policy. It is timely, now that Intel is putting so much more money in here and that President Bush is visiting in a month, to hold a debate on that relationship with the United States and have the courage to tell President Bush what we think of his foreign policy in the Middle East.