Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The issue raised by Senator Finucane is an important one that could bear discussion but I take issue with one point he made. I question whether Denmark embraces the Muslim community in its country. The problems in Denmark began with the election of a hard, right-wing Government in recent years on a strong anti-immigration card. There is a substantial amount of what may be termed "Islamaphobia" in that country and I believe the two issues are not unrelated. Having said that, the reaction to the cartoon is utterly unacceptable. It is also unacceptable from people who have had no difficulty in supporting suicide bombings and many other atrocities. Rather than look at one issue at a time — we have seen this for the past 30 years in the North — what we are seeing is a reverberation of intolerance and hatred throughout the world. Some people in Denmark do not like Muslims. Many parts of the Islamic community have a total fear and revulsion towards the western world and this is reciprocated in the West. This week, in our own country, we have seen the leader of the DUP using the words "hate" and "hatred" and attributing them to our President. Whatever one's views, this type of incitement from political leaders will always raise problems somewhere along the line. It brings us back to the one issue which should be the guiding light in education, politics and leadership in general, namely, tolerance, which is the most important of virtues. There is a lack of tolerance, but there are always ways to foster it. We must find ways of dealing with matters around the table and speaking clearly.

In that regard I want to congratulate the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Ahern, on making it clear to Dr. Paisley that his language, on this occasion, was unacceptable. At the same time, having made the point, the Minister still has to do business with Dr. Paisley. That is what grown-up politics is about. Dr. Paisley is entitled to his views, but he has to hear the other side as well. That type of engagement is not taking place between the Muslim and western worlds, but it is the key.