Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I join in supporting Senators Ó Murchú and Jim Walsh in their concern about further revelations connected with the conduct of the war on terrorism and Iraq. While all of us support, as does the UN since its resolution of June 2004, the establishment of democracy in Iraq and the withdrawal of the multinational force, the continued revelations of abuses of power, breaches of international law and evasion of obligations that belong in any civilised society are hampering that process and making it more difficult. They are also a source of embarrassment to the friends of the United States throughout the Western world. This is a message that this House needs to convey. Very few of us here are in any real sense anti-American. We support the best values of United States democracy. This situation cannot continue.