Seanad debates

Tuesday, 13 July 2004

2:00 pm

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I share the view of Senator Mansergh about the desecration of the national flag in the North in recent days, especially in light of the remarks I made in the House last week which would have had the agreement of all sides of the House. It shows the depth of hatred there is in one section of the community. We are used to watching the flags of other countries — usually superpowers — being burned in some far off place and it is neither acceptable nor desirable behaviour to see the desecration of our flag on this island. I hope the British authorities will take steps to address the matter. The infamous Flags and Emblems Act prevented the flying of the tricolour in the Six Counties for many decades. I would like to see some change in that regard.

I endorse everything said by Senator Tuffy when she called for a debate on the Middle East. There is absolutely no doubt that the focus has shifted, primarily driven by the United States following the events of 11 September 2001. The war on terror, as it is called by Americans, is focused on what they perceive as their enemies. The US has easily and conveniently side-tracked what should be the main focus in the Middle East. I refer to what is probably the single largest political problem facing the world today. Everything — the hatred of Muslims for the West and western culture — springs from American bias and prejudice. The first reaction of the Israeli authorities following last week's decision of the International Court of Justice was to go straight to their American allies to plead with them to veto any attempt by the UN Security Council to sanction Israel. I rest my case.

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