David Norris (Independent)

I would welcome a continuing series of debates on the Lisbon treaty and the aftermath of the referendum. A certain response is being extracted now and I would like, in particular, to examine the military details. One of the reasons I am glad the treaty is stalled is that it means the European Defence Agency is not statutorily incorporated into the European Union. I do not want it to be and I think we need a real examination of the armaments industry.

I call for a debate on No. 31, which concerns the situation in Zimbabwe. While it was placed on the Order Paper by Senator Callely, I signed it as well as the amendment. It is time we looked at that issue. I ask the Leader to look at the motion and its amendment and, perhaps, compile a composite motion that could be supported by all parties. The amendment was signed by the Fine Gael Party, myself and Senator Bacik. I say this because we are moving into an election situation in which more than 100 people have been killed and more than 200 have been seriously injured, some maimed for life.

Inflation in Zimbabwe is 1.6 million per cent. It is in the realms of complete nonsense. The sterling rate to the Zimbabwean dollar is 8 billion to the pound. This is cloud cuckoo-land. Meanwhile the head of the airforce is in charge of operations terrorising people to vote for Mr. Mugabe and a formula is handed out. Going into the polling stations, people are expected to ask for help from the ZANU-PF officials because they want to vote for Robert Mugabe. If they do not say that, they are in danger of being beaten up or murdered. It is time the international community made its presence felt. The behaviour of South Africa has been pathetic. President Mbeki has been a disgrace and shows no concern for his fellow Africans. I raised this matter with Kader Asmal when he was here. Simply in solidarity with the suffering people of Zimbabwe it would be very useful if we had an agreed motion. I ask the Leader to consider that.