Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

It conjures up what Voltaire described as "pour encourager les autres" when Admiral Byng was shot. Why can the legislation not refer to military courts? We are not discussing the drastic punishments of the past. It is almost as if the church or ecclesiastical courts still called themselves the inquisition.

One could argue that a name that increases fear is not bad, but the term "courts martial" carries much historical baggage and imagery. Given our civilianised military and human rights culture, could we not use the phrase "military courts" as used in the Minister's speech? I will leave him to reflect on this question. If he says in his wisdom that "courts martial" is the term with which people in the Defence Forces are accustomed and it does not alarm anyone unduly, I will accept his word.