Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I understand that Second Stage of the State Airports Bill 2004 is being taken in the Dáil today. There has been criticism of the way in which that Bill is being rushed through the Lower House without proper debate or issues being clarified. Will the Dáil still be sitting when this House debates that Bill, or will we just be treated as a rubber stamp with no opportunity to debate whether there is a case for the legislation at all? Are there any economic reasons for its introduction or is it purely part of a political agenda, not for the Progressive Democrats Party but for the Progressive Democrats within Fianna Fáil, including the Minister for Transport?

As regards this week's visit to Ireland by US President George Bush, I read in today's newspapers about the planned joint EU-US statement. This statement should include a condemnation of the illegal and unjustified war against Iraq by the US and the subsequent actions that have taken place, to which other Senators referred, including the illegal treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.