David Norris (Independent)

I would like to refer to No. 1, a motion on the Treaty of Amsterdam and the exchange of information. The Acting Leader said he wants to take the matter without debate. It was tabled, but each day a list of items are tabled on the back of the Order Paper. Most of these items go through on the nod. I would like to enter a caveat here and I would like the Acting Leader to refer the matter to the appropriate Minister. I am concerned about any exchange of information deriving from the use of torture. This matter has been actively discussed in Britain and some authorities appear to have very little difficulty with the referral of prisoners to third countries so that they can be tortured. It amounts to outsourcing torture. I would be very concerned about allowing such a situation to go through on the nod, therefore, I ask the Acting Leader to raise my concerns with the appropriate Minister.

I support Senator Brian Hayes in seeking a debate or holding a protest against what has been happening in Zimbabwe over many years. Over the years, I have raised the matter on the Adjournment. Independent Senators have a motion down on Zimbabwe. There is an atrocious situation where a dictator, after a completely fraudulent election, is now terrorising his own people. He is creating mass famine. "Operation clear out the rubbish" is how he describes his own citizens. This man is a beast who needs to be confronted. I hope the South African authorities will do something about the issue. I find it very difficult to be optimistic about a man like Thabo Mbeki, who said he thinks AIDS can be cured by eating spinach. His views on Zimbabwe are just as out of touch with reality.

I would like to raise the issue of risk equalisation. It was felt there should be some discussion on this matter. It appears from what has been said that the deferral of risk equalisation is part of the preparation for the possible privatisation of the VHI. We are entitled to a say in this matter because it will be a disaster, just as the privatisation of Telecom Éireann has been a disaster.