David Norris (Independent)

I support Senator Daly's call for a debate on Gaza. It was interesting that an arrest warrant was issued against Tzipi Livni. The same thing previously happened in the case of President Augusto Pinochet. It is interesting that national and international courts are being employed to hold political leaders to account. I welcome that development. It is also interesting that the British Government and the British Embassy in Tel Aviv have speedily distanced themselves from the arrest warrant. They are ignoring their ethical and criminal responsibilities in this case.

I would like to raise a seasonal issue. Last night, I attended a concert at St. Ann's Church on Dawson Street. The superb music was provided by the gay and lesbian choir, Gloria. The church was packed to the rafters with happy people and families. Most of the large collection that was taken will be given to the Irish Hospice Foundation. Those who provided sign language facilities to a group of deaf people in attendance were absolutely unbelievable and fantastic. I spent a lot of time watching the balletic movements of their hands, which made the words come alive. I would like to ask for a debate on inclusiveness in this context. It seems to me that we have empty churches all over the city. Last night, the gay community packed a church with people whose spirituality has been denied for so long. Similarly, the State marginalised various groups of people, including gay people, for many years. A wonderful energy can be released when we are inclusive.

As I would not like to leave Scrooge out of the Christmas picture, I ask the Leader to arrange for the Charities Acts to be revisited. I spoke a number of years ago about the huge number of charity collections on the streets of Dublin. Yesterday, a swarm of 24 collectors from a certain national charity met a shoal of 12 collectors from another national charity. I support both of the charities morally, financially and politically. It is ridiculous that so many young people are allowed to invade the streets. When I raised the matter some time ago, I was told it would be dealt with in the Charities Bill 2007, but that did not happen. In the old days, regulations governed the number of days on which each charity could collect and the number of collectors who could congregate in each area. The enforcement of such rules would be welcome.

A Member of the other House, Deputy Neville, was interviewed on the news earlier today about the important issue of the use of unparliamentary language. He was harassed and hectored about the fact that there were very few people in the Chamber last week. This is an absolute canard. I appeal to members of the media to stop being so bloody dishonest. They know perfectly well where we are. They are in the environs of the Houses and know the reason people are not all sitting in the Chamber is because they are working. If the entire Chamber was full for the entire day, they would be the first to complain that we are sitting on our backsides, taking money from the taxpayers and doing nothing. I ask the media to wise up, tell the truth and stop peddling things they know to be lies.