David Norris (Independent)

I welcome the fact that the Government has withdrawn the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill. It was a disgrace. Two hundred amendments were tabled to it in the Dáil and it was also attacked in this House. It contained serious human rights violations and probably was unconstitutional. In an act of extraordinary political effrontry, the Government sought to continue in office, by name, someone who had been discredited in the appeals tribunal. I am very glad the Bill has been withdrawn and would like the Leader to tell us when the matter will be brought before the House in a proper and decent form.

Will the Leader tell us when the Government will become the last in Europe to ratify the Aarhus Convention? I am very concerned at the statements of Sr. Majella McCarron who said yesterday that the right of Irish citizens to a fair trial and due process was being prejudiced, particularly in the Corrib gas field dispute in the absence of ratification of the convention.

It is my honour to second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my colleague, Senator Bacik.