Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader say what is the position on the Registration of Wills Bill 2005? I am anxious that all Stages be taken and the Bill passed by this House as quickly as possible. I have been in touch with the Department of Health and Children to request that it should move this forward. In the circumstances, it is necessary and appropriate for me to raise this matter on the Order of Business. The Bill went through its Second Stage in the House last session and it would be nice to have it passed by the Oireachtas before the Easter recess. It is an important Bill and I want to see it enacted.

I ask the Leader to consider a debate on the situation in Palestine. Hamas won the election fair and square and has a right to take up its position in government. In doing so, it must accept the right of the Israeli nation to exist. That is a fundamental right. If it accepts this, it should be welcomed in government, because I believe that will bring peace to the region.

As regards such a debate I sympathise very much with the feelings of the Muslim people on the blasphemous cartoon depicted in the Danish newspapers. It was outrageous, to say the least. They might have a right to print, but they have no licence to publish blasphemous material against any religion. That is a step too far. On the call by John Waters, my fellow Roscommon man, for all newspapers to print this, I would strongly object to the media publishing blasphemous material about Mohammed. It is very wrong to publish such material. People should understand that the depth of feeling in Muslim countries about this issue is similar to what we in Ireland had in regard to our religion when, for example, Paddy Powers bookmakers used a depiction of the last supper.

We all need to be careful — I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence — as this serious issue is dividing the world and is one of the most divisive issues to have arisen for some time between the East and the West. We should be very sensitive. We should ask the Danish Government to offer an immediate apology to the Muslim world for the insult printed in one of the Danish media. That would help to calm a dangerous situation that has enflamed the world. We need to understand the feelings in the Middle East about this issue.