David Norris (Independent)

I support the call for a debate on that matter. I am concerned about the question of SSIAs. I agree with my colleagues, Senator Brian Hayes and Senator O'Toole, who have called for the Minister for Education and Science to attend the House. It would be a real disincentive if SSIAs were to be taken into consideration in terms of educational grants. It is a kind of Indian giving and it is not on. I am sure that Members on both sides of the House will remember senior Ministers giving assurances that there would not be this kind of chicanery and trickery. They said they would not try to claw back tax but if they are now trying to do so, we should know.

I also wish to seek a debate either on the situation in Darfur or, in the context of what Senator Dardis said, on the role of the United Nations peacekeeping missions. We have a disastrous situation in Darfur where, in the past week or two, 400 women have been raped. Villages are being bombed by Government forces in collaboration with the Janjaweed. Rape is being used as an instrument of policy. In addition, the African Union mission may be withdrawn, thus leaving a complete vacuum. These people are being left unprotected. This is a Rwandan-scale genocide waiting to happen. On this occasion, we cannot say we are unaware of it. We know only too well what is occurring.

A final point must be taken into account. How disgraceful the attitudes of various nations are that stepped up to the mark, in front of the television cameras, and pledged money for such situations, yet then welshed on those pledges. That is what has been happening in Darfur where we know people are starving. European and American politicians said they would give so many millions but they failed to deliver. They should be called to account.