Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support the comments of Senator Ross on capital punishment. It is important for us to make our views known on an issue such as this, even though the executions in question are outside our jurisdiction. First, history contains many cases of innocent people being executed and subsequently exonerated. The mere fact that that can happen should alert us to the dangers involved. Second, capital punishment dehumanises society. It should not be necessary for us to start by saying that we condemn and are outraged by the crimes in question. However, once we go down the road of revenge, which is what capital punishment is, it sends out the wrong message concerning the type of society we want to develop. The views expressed in this Chamber should be communicated to our friends in America. Very often capital punishment may give short-term alleviation to the loved ones of victims who have been murdered, but that is not the case in the long term. We are forgetting that grief does not go by a single act of revenge. Even though the bereaved may turn up to witness an execution, I do not genuinely believe that it is good for them or for society at large.

Europe has expressed a general view against capital punishment. There is always a knee-jerk reaction, but the death penalty is not a deterrent. I do not believe that executing a human being necessarily prevents somebody else committing the same type of crime. That is why what Senator Ross said is particularly important. We should not ignore capital punishment because it takes place at a distance. We are talking about humanity and the fraternity of nations. I strongly urge the Leader to seek a response from the Minister for Foreign Affairs to see what reaction he got when he brought the views of this House forward.