David Norris (Independent)

I am afraid it seems to be one economic calamity after another and there will be a considerable bill for this. It is not just a case of disappointment because there will be no ham on the Christmas table; our exports will be badly affected. Although I am on the Opposition side, I compliment the Government on the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, responded quickly, clearly and effectively. There were attempts to question the fact that he acted too rapidly, but had he not done so he would have been criticised for that as well.

There are other questions to be raised about farming practices, although I know that farmers are completely guiltless in this case. In St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday we prayed for farmers who are going through anxious times, but what about these anxious times for pigs? I mean that quite seriously. We have a habit in the West of treating our cousin animals with contempt, having them basically in animal concentration farms. I would like to raise this issue on another occasion as this is not the moment to do so. My sympathy is with the farmers now. I support the point so ably made by my Labour Party colleague that the one exempted item is organically grown pork, which is all right. The same applies to genetically modified food. We need to re-establish brand Ireland.

I am seeking a debate on foreign affairs and the Middle East in particular. It is time that we congratulated the Israeli Government, and in particular the Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, on the rapid and effective action he took in coping with a difficult and delicate situation in the city of Hebron by quickly and effectively removing the settler invasion of Arab houses. However, there is an equal responsibility on the Israeli Government to protect the rights of the Palestinians, which it signally failed to do. I was talking at the weekend to Israeli Jewish sources there and the phone was interrupted when they were attacked by a mob of stone-throwing settlers. While I spoke, the humble tent of an elderly Palestinian woman was burned to the ground by ignorant louts and thugs. The Israelis have responsibility there.

I did not speak on the cribs issue last week because I raised it last year. I do not want to make a big meal out of my church-going activities or my religious affiliations because I do not think it is anyone's business. One's religious beliefs are a personal matter, but there is also a cultural element in this. I am astonished that our broadcasting authorities would ban an advertisement from Veritas, the Catholic communications group. It has a very good bookshop and I often go into it. With the Cathaoirleach's indulgence, I will place on the record the text that was found to be offensive:

Cake and crackers, Santa and stockings, turkey and tinsel, mistletoe and mince pies, and presents and puddings. Christmas. Aren't we forgetting something? This Christmas, why not give a gift that means more? Veritas has a range of different and thoughtful gifts.

The advertisement goes on to list them, including books for children and so on. What in the name of God is offensive about that, unless one is forced to remove the essential religious principle of Christmas, which is being done? That silly, but at night-time elegant, Christmas tree in O'Connell Street with the wrapping around it saying "Come in and spend your money" is crassly commercial. Thank God the crib is open a little bit further down the street. There is a lovely crib inside the GPO also, but I think the advertising ban is nonsense. People in Saudi Arabia are not as delicate about appreciating the sensitivities of Christians.