Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

The world is once again experiencing an emotional rollercoaster. We have been down this road before with the abduction of Mr. Ken Bigley. All one can hope for is that Ms Margaret Hassan has not been abducted by the most extreme elements of Islamic fundamentalism. I ask that the Leader support the efforts of the Taoiseach and Government in matters relating to the abduction of this Irish born person caught up in the maelstrom of evil in Iraq. I hope the diplomatic efforts and contacts now being used throughout the Muslim world for a woman who has given most of her working life to helping those less well off than ourselves will pay off.

With due deference to my distinguished colleagues on the other side of the House, I wish that when debates on matters of this nature arise we could move away from the historical fact that there was an invasion of Iraq. We must now deal with the reality on the ground.