David Norris (Independent)

I deeply dislike elections, which are a horrible experience for politicians. I have never called for one before, but we need one now because of the disgraceful behaviour of the Government and the way in which it is treating this Parliament. We are moving away from a democracy and towards a Stalinist era of closed courts in which people cannot be represented and which they must attend on the word of a junior garda. I did not think I would ever come across this. Politicians are being frightened and bullied by radio programmes and by the Minister out of saying they are against the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill. Everybody is saying they support the Bill but I am against it because of its utter violation of decent democratic principles. It will be condemned by the United Nations.

It is time this Government realised that trial by jury is not just the name of an operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan. It is a fundamental principle of our democracy. A total of 130 lawyers, from both the prosecution and defence sides, have signed a letter to a leading newspaper demanding that the Bill be withdrawn. Passing the Bill in the House next week is a total and utter meaningless farce as no amendments can be accepted. We are just wasting our time. The leading criminal judge has said there is no difficulty with impanelling witnesses.

With the greatest respect, I must also object to the mentioning of irrelevancies. I am a great admirer of Senator Fitzgerald, but the fact that under age children are being used as couriers has nothing to do with this. I understand why she said it because we are all worried, but we cannot allow our genuine worry to blur the fact that we must focus on the fundamental constitutionality of this Bill. The Government should go as it has disgraced itself again. I hope the President will refer the Bill to the Supreme Court.