David Norris (Independent)

It appears we will be allowed to continue the debate on the Ferns report. I welcome that decision. If we are serious about this issue, there is something we can do. I refer to No. 23 on the Order Paper, a motion put down by me and most of my Independent colleagues. It requests the Government to re-examine the exemption given to the churches from the operation of the equality legislation. It is fine to bleat about how heartbroken we are and say that the church is not above the law. However, it most definitely is above the law. In recent years, both Houses have made it so. We can change this. This motion simply requests the Government to re-examine the exemption of the churches from equality legislation. It is not tolerable that an organisation which protected serial child abusers is given the right to fire perfectly decent, respectable and good teachers on the sole basis of their sexual orientation. It is a reproach to the House's integrity if we do not take up this matter. I ask that we combine the statements on the Ferns report with the taking of this motion. The motion does not bind the Government to any action. If we are serious about the church not being above the law and other citizens, the House must request the Government to simply re-examine the issue in light of the Ferns report.

I welcome the comments of Senator Brian Hayes on the Shot at Dawn Campaign. I have raised the matter several times too. The cases are absolutely tragic. A disproportionate number of Irish people, serving in the British army during the First World War were shot for desertion, cowardice or whatever it was. I have read many of the cases. One, in particular, concerned a young lad who was shot peremptorily because, after having been through the thick of battle, he refused to put on a muddied, sopping wet hat which could have given him pneumonia. It was inhumane. They shot the Irish pour encourager les autres. It was a barbarous and awful matter. The New Zealand Government got what it wanted and it has recognised those executed by awarding them medals posthumously. I strongly support this campaign.

When will the ending of the groceries order be enforced? There is something fishy about the very phrase "below-cost selling". What businessman actually sells below cost? Several charities have claimed it will do damage to the most vulnerable elements in society. We already have two chain stores controlling over 50% of the market.