David Norris (Independent)

I agree with Senator Coghlan on the seriousness of the situation in County Cork. That personal files have been unearthed in such a fashion — they were clearly visible owing to railway works — is regrettable. A man with a history of alcoholism and drug use was referred to on the radio news this morning because his file, containing details of his address, occupation and so on, was found. This concerning issue should be treated seriously. It may also be a question of illegal dumping. How did the files get there? Senator Coghlan was right to refer to this matter.

I do not agree on taking No. 1 without debate, which would be extraordinary. Zimbabwe is an important problem because democratic rights therein have been violated, its army and police have been used against democratic opposition parties and its electoral process has been usurped. A number of Senators met some of the people persecuted previously. A small amount of time should be set aside for debate of the motion.

When will No. 21, motion 3 be taken? In it, the Independent Senators request the Minister for Foreign Affairs "to seek the establishment of a monitoring group to supervise the implementation of the Human Rights Attachments to the External Association Agreement between the European Union and the State of Israel". If human rights are to mean anything and if protocols on them are to be attached to international treaties, they should be monitored. I am not calling for the implementation of sanctions. Rather, the EU should establish a watchdog.