David Norris (Independent)

I call for a debate on the Middle East, in particular, on the impact of the disastrous American policies in this area, especially in light of the fact that a Cabinet Minister appeared in New York on St. Patrick's Day and took a salute from returning members of the 69th division of United States Air Force in full uniform who had been involved in the massacre of civilians. It was highly inappropriate and made it perfectly clear that this Government has committed itself to collaboration with the illegal war, as so described by our Leader. The point should be made that this was completely inappropriate behaviour. This is still supposed to be a neutral country and for a Cabinet Minister to have reviewed these returning troops is an utter disgrace to this country.

In that debate, we should look at the parallel policies in Israel and Palestine. The Seanad did not sit last week which, in some ways, was a pity because we could have immediately commented on the appalling activities of the Israeli military in bombing a jail in Jericho, which is in another state. It constituted an act of aggression. Imagine the situation of those incarcerated in the jail. They were locked into their cells, had missiles fired at them from helicopter gunships, had tanks fire shells at them and were raked by heavy machine gunfire. This was an absolutely outlandish and barbarous way for people to behave.

We should look at the operations of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. A number of us, including, I believe, the Leader, have been concerned about them for some considerable time, about the arbitrary nature of decisions and about the complete lack of accountability or transparency. In a recent case, evidence was given in the court that a member of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal had not made one favourable decision in well over 100 cases which they managed to find. I know of people who are alleged to go around the Law Library gloating that they "never let one of them in". This country is highly unusual in that it publishes no information on the record of members of the tribunal or their qualifications. On the basis of what qualifications do they presume to take these arbitrary and disgraceful decisions in the name of the people?

In the past week, I have been made aware of a case of a man whose partner was murdered in Iraq as a result of an honour killing. He managed to flee to this country in danger of his life but he is being returned to Iraq by the Government. There is something really rotten here. As Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, we should be able to inquire into this matter and say we need proper professional people making these decisions; we need them to be accountable, we need a record of their decisions and we need to know the reason people are being refused leave to remain, so they can get a fair deal.