Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I was merely attempting to ask the Leader if she agrees that there is a need to follow the example of what happened in America in the 1930s, when a group know as "the untouchables" was established? I have always accepted the primacy of the law. I support the views expressed by other Members and perhaps there is a need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to examine the nature of due process. If the Garda Síochána is aware of the identity of those who carry out crimes of this nature and if its members cannot touch them, there is then a need for change.

The Special Criminal Court was established to deal with the Provisional IRA and it sat in the absence of juries. As Members are aware, widespread intimidation of witnesses has taken place. Will the Leader convey to the Minister the horror of Members regarding what has happened and ask him to reflect on the way forward?

I applaud the brave and courageous students in Tehran who have taken on the maniac President Ahmadinejad. The latter has been hosting a conference on whether the Holocaust occurred. I did not believe that there were such brave dissenters within the troubled country of Iran. I wish to record the dismay of a great many people, particularly the victims of the Holocaust, that such an outrageous conference is taking place in what is purported to be a civilised country.