Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

The Committee on Procedure and Privileges should consider inviting Mr. Barrosso to address the Seanad before the treaty referendum takes place.

I support the request made yesterday by Senator Mary White regarding the Chris Flood report on the 1,000 Irish people in prisons throughout the world. She asked that a dedicated unit be established in the Department of Foreign Affairs. I reiterate the call made by the Most Reverend Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry, in that regard. Rather than condoning the crimes these people have committed, we want to support their families. With the support of this House, I travelled to Greece in 2003 to visit one of our people who was imprisoned there and assisted in having him released. He was found innocent of the charges made against him. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on this matter to make people aware they should avail of the services of Members when contacting their loved ones abroad. In some cases, prisoners could be brought back to serve their sentences in Ireland.