Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

While the House does not have a Green Party Senator, I express my abhorrence at the fire-bombing of the home of a public representative for expressing opposition to dumping and legitimate views about anti-social and anti-environmental behaviour. Public representatives represent many citizens and are entitled to be inviolate and protected.

I am sure members of the Garda, on further reflection, will appreciate their role and responsibility in upholding the rule of law in a democracy and fulfilling the will of this Parliament, following further consultation as necessary.

I do not share Senator O'Toole's view on the subject of the historian who was imprisoned in Austria. If Ireland had the experience Austria and Germany had during the period of the Nazi regime, we would take a serious and dim view of somebody who claimed that none of the events in question took place.