Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

I support the proposed amendment to today's Order of Business. Last week, I tried unsuccessfully to raise this matter on the Adjournment. A full debate is warranted on the ongoing difficulties pharmacists are experiencing with the HSE. It does not take a genius or a rocket scientist to realise that resolving the issue requires independent negotiations with no preconditions. The Minister would do well to examine the past ten years of the peace process which show that preconditions are stumbling blocks to negotiations. I urge the Leader to facilitate a debate on the issue.

I propose that Government time be provided in the coming weeks for a debate in the Seanad on the issue of collusion. The Dáil debated the issue two weeks ago but no motion or proposed course of action arose from it. We have an opportunity to put that right through a debate based on a motion agreed by all parties at the earliest possible opportunity. More than 50 people were killed in this State directly as a result of collusion between Unionist paramilitaries and British State forces. Nearly two years ago, the Seanad and the Dáil passed unanimous motions calling on the British Government to establish a full and independent public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane but this was refused. The British Government has also refused to co-operate fully with the investigation established by the Oireachtas. We need, therefore, to revisit this crucial issue.