David Norris (Independent)

On drugs, I share the horror at the death of this young man. It was only a matter of time before there were civilian casualties in this war. It is a very problematic area. This country cannot handle it on its own. It is an international problem. I take the very unpopular but realistic view that we need to legalise, license and control these substances. What is driving the trade internationally is the profit motive. Many of the countries that are strongest in their condemnation of drugs are the very ones that fuel it, such as the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, which turn a blind eye to the convoys going through Uzbekistan for their own political reasons.

I join my colleagues in calling for a debate on the Middle East. Although I share Senator Ryan's views on the dreadful plight of the Palestinians, I regret that, Ismail Haniyah, the Prime Minister designate of Palestine, said in Tehran that he was on a jihad that would not end until the city of Jerusalem was re-conquered. Will the Leader request the Minister for Foreign Affairs to call in the Iranian ambassador and rebuke him for the conference that is taking place? It is outrageous that this happens.