David Norris (Independent)

I also listened to the news interview with the Fianna Fáil backbenchers and I was struck, in particular, by something Deputy McGuinness said. He used an interesting metaphor when he said it was time for the brain to be connected to the backbone. It is absolutely true and is particularly true in the case of the Taoiseach. This is a time for firm, clear and decisive action which we have not had so far from Government. It is not up to me to give any details, as I am not capable of it, but that kind of leadership is lacking and I hope the Taoiseach can provide it.

In the middle of all this economic chaos, I hope we do not lose sight of vulnerable people here and abroad. In Dublin the charity Trust, which provides support for the homeless, expressed considerable concern about the harvesting of personal data about the homeless by some of the city authorities and the way in which it is exchanged. The same thing happened last year and it referred this to the Data Commissioner who expressed concern at the way this was being done. Will the Leader take this up?

I express great concern about the situation in Uganda. There has been an invasion of American evangelicals, or so-called Christians. They have been using the AIDS epidemic - last Tuesday was World AIDS Day - and are lobbying for changes in the law to reintroduce misprison of felony under which people can be convicted for not reporting the existence of so-called homosexual offences. They want to reintroduce the death penalty. A Bill has been introduced in the parliament in Uganda and, most shamefully, it has been supported by the Anglican church, the church to which I belong, in Uganda. I call on the Government to make the strongest possible protest against this blasphemous, inhumane and unchristian act. I also want to hear strong condemnation from the Church of Ireland primate of all Ireland and the Archbishop of Dublin.