David Norris (Independent)

The notion that the global economic recession and financial crisis is directly caused by the existence of Mr. Brian Cowen as Taoiseach is slightly fatuous. In St Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday, the Old Testament lesson was from the third book of the prophet Jonah. He was sent by God to Nineveh to tell them that because of their greed, their selfishness and their gross indulgence, he was going to destroy the entire city within 40 days. They were so traumatised by this threat that they all, high and low, rich and poor, noble and common, got down and joined together in sackcloth and ashes. I think this country needs to adopt a kind of wartime footing. We all need to be together and we do not need to score party political points. We all have to accept that it is nonsensical to think of a pay increase when people are losing their jobs. There should be an end to posturing; we must all take the hit and join together in the interests of the country.

The Leader made a suggestion yesterday about the situation in Israel and the issue of human rights being discussed in Private Members' time. My Private Members' time will be next week and I had already decided to take the general human rights situation which will in certain elements be critical of the Government. However, the Leader will have noticed yesterday the general consensus on all sides of the House. All decent people in this House are appalled by what is happening and at the language of the Israeli leaders, the iron fist that will crush. This is the language of the Second World War. I refer to the use by Israel of Palestine as a laboratory for experimenting with new weapons and to Egypt which is stopping doctors going into Gaza and is gassing people to death in the pathetic little tunnels and is now preventing children going to Europe for treatment.

Along with Cyprus, Portugal and Sweden, Ireland nobly proposed and supported the establishment of an independent war crimes tribunal. Our Government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the same thing and I honour him for it. I strongly urge the Leader to consider tabling a motion supporting our Government on which we can all agree, unlike perhaps what may happen next Wednesday night when I propose a different motion. An agreed motion would strengthen our Government's position.

I refer to the Bodies exhibition in the Ambassador cinema. I find it quite extraordinary that questions are not being asked. This is a for-profit exhibition with t-shirts and ashtrays and all the paraphernalia and products for sale, yet the organisers of this exhibition are unable to provide the provenance for these bodies. They came from China, from medical facilities about which significant questions arise. It is quite possible that these people were murdered because they were members of Falun Gong. I wonder if it is appropriate that they should be exhibited in Ireland for profit.