Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I repeat my previous calls to the Leader and Deputy Leader to arrange a debate on Northern Ireland between now and the Christmas recess. An urgent debate is needed, particularly on the extremely contentious issue of individuals who are on-the-run, who are at large and have never faced charges for serious criminal offences they committed over the past 40 years.

The Government's approach to this matter is constitutionally questionable. The argument that presidential pardons should be granted to individuals who have never been convicted of a crime is dubious. Under Article 13.6 of the Constitution, presidential pardons aim to deal with miscarriages of justice. Can we say that miscarriages of justice have occurred in any of these cases, which mainly involve IRA terrorists?

This is an example of politicians meddling with the judicial process because the Government wishes to establish an eligibility body. This House should be aware of the recent comments made by the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mr. Mark Durkan, MP. Mr. Durkan clearly demonstrated that these proposals would constitute an effective amnesty for IRA terrorists and members of the RUC and the British Army who committed crimes over the past 35 years. Government Senators must be aware of the very serious implications of these proposals. I ask the Leader to arrange this necessary debate over the next two weeks.

There is some good news with regard to decentralisation. There appears to be a major exodus from the office of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely. Everyone wants to leave his office and decentralise to other parts of the country.