David Norris (Independent)

On the question of children's rights, all Members are in favour. Senator O'Toole rightly referred to the fact that while many people seem to think the noble provisions within the 1916 Proclamation are included within the Constitution, this is not the case. However, it refers to the rights of the individual. Why not consider holding a referendum that would guarantee and underwrite people's inalienable rights as individual citizens, rather than the rights of sections, groups, families, children or whatever?

I agree with Senator Ó Murchú's powerful and passionate indictment of what has been happening in the Middle East. It is morally revolting and shaming to see attacks that routinely kill women and children. Is Ireland serious about this? The Minister should call in the Israeli ambassador to indicate Ireland's revulsion in this regard. If we were really serious, we should reconsider the external association agreement with Israel, attached to which are human rights protocols. I have been making this point for the past three years. Failure to ever act on such protocols diminishes the standing of human rights.

As for the question raised concerning the attack on O'Connell Street, it is appalling that a young woman should be dragged down a street, pushed into an apartment block and then allegedly assaulted. One of the problems is that people are afraid to intervene. I have intervened on numerous occasions and I had to receive three stitches in my lip after one intervention. I was attacked two years ago and received——