David Norris (Independent)

I agree with Senator Ó Murchú. It is a serious situation. This started in September and was a slow burning fuse. It would have been helpful if there had been a positive intervention, the type of dialogue Senator Ó Murchú mentioned, at an earlier stage. I doubt that the editor of the small provincial newspaper thought that a couple of lines of ink on a piece of paper would lead to destruction and the death, so far, of at least seven people. I do not believe this couple of squiggles is worth the death of a human.

Unfortunately, the activities of certain sections of Muslim society, particularly in the Middle East, have tended to confirm some of the message in the cartoon. In other words, there can be a relationship between this cultural system and violence, a tendency that must be countered. However, it is understandable. The West has rained bombs down on the unfortunate people of Iraq. These people have been given no voice and they and their religious views have been treated with contempt. They simply have not been heard, even in newspapers in this country.

I have read some very inflammatory articles that simply put all Muslims in the same situation. When people are squeezed and oppressed in that way, this is just a catalyst. It lets out an energy that already existed. It started in a very out-of-the-way place but I could not help thinking of an obscure incident in Sarajevo in 1914 which led to events nobody could stop. It did not seem possible that the world would be convulsed. This could happen again but I hope it does not. The Danes will see their dairy industry in considerable financial difficulty.

We must also be aware that our values should not be compromised. It is not tolerable that people such as Theo van Gogh or Salman Rushdie should be subject to threat. Freedom of expression is an important value. Again, however, we must understand how people are pressurised. Western values have been represented by big firms such as Coca Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's and so forth and the materialism of the West is eating into a very spiritual side of oriental culture. Naturally, the people are discomfited by it.

Can a debate be arranged on the licensing laws? I have been concerned about this issue for some time, particularly the licensing of small shops, petrol stations and so forth. Members will be aware of the report in The Sunday Tribune last Sunday where 20 of these outlets were investigated by an under-age female reporter. In 18 of the 20 outlets she was served without question. She bought wine, whiskey, beer and whatever she wanted. This is a serious issue. It would be wrong and dangerous to blame the Judiciary for this but we, as legislators, should examine the situation to ascertain the best way to regulate the licensing of the drinks industry in this city.