David Norris (Independent)

Will the Leader provide the House with any information he has on the response of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the No. 35, non-Government motion 8 on the Order Paper, regarding the exemption of the churches from equality legislation? I seek seconders for an amendment to the Order of Business whereby No. 8 would be taken immediately after the conclusion of the Order of Business. There has been no response on this issue in two weeks. This suggests either that the Leader is held in contempt by the civil servants in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or that the Leader holds this House in contempt. The churches have been placed above the law in a manner citizens neither understand nor welcome. I have referred in this House to an important case where protection was removed from a student in a school in Dublin and vulnerable people were exposed to risk as a result of the deficiencies in this legislation.

This poses questions about the commitment of some sections of the Fianna Fáil Party to equality. We have seen the attack on the Equality Authority of Ireland. Some weeks ago we had Senator Walsh seeking to remove protection from Travellers. We have had people talking both in this Chamber and on the radio about secret societies. It must be a requirement that membership of any secret society that may have an extra-parliamentary influence be included on the register of Members' interests.

I very much welcome the outcome in the McKevitt case whereby the wicked and callous individuals concerned have been called to account and shown up for what they are. The Shell oil company has also been called to account, having been fined $15 million in respect of its involvement in the murder of Ken Saro-Wiwa and others. This places in context references in this House to terrorist involvement in the Shell to Sea campaign and raises serious questions about the newspapers that applauded the element of bias in Paul Williams's film. The Independent said it was a great idea, that they were very glad. It is astonishing that bias should be found. Perhaps we will be treated to Senator Harris's views on the criminal activities of Shell oil. He was very lyrical in smearing the people involved in the Shell to Sea campaign.