John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

There is no difference between Palestinian children's shoes in the rubble and Jewish children's shoes in the rubble. Both incidents are sickening and the public is outraged.

As a pro-life supporter I am opposed to the death sentence. Not only does it not serve the purpose intended, it is counter-productive. It is the soft, weak option. One may be executed within months instead of spending a lifetime in prison. This month, the International Criminal Court Bill was passed by this House. Its purpose was that any person who commits genocide must answer to a court, sooner or later. I would prefer to see Saddam Hussein locked up in The Hague for the extent of his life, answering the questions for the thousands he has murdered.

In the debate on the Middle East we should discuss the prospect, which we hope to see soon, of the US troops returning to base and a thriving democracy taking root in Iraq. It is sad to note, as Senator Mooney stated, that some are trying to entice the Iraqis to engage in sectarianism. Europe has seen such carnage. In the past 60 years we have lived under the Pax Americana. No matter what we say about the US, it came to the aid of Europe twice. I look forward to the day when Iraq lives under that peace.