Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support the comments made by Senator Corrigan regarding the position in Iran. It brings to mind the comments of the late lamented former Deputy Brian Lenihan Sn., in which he spoke of the futility of consistency. There certainly is a futility of consistency policy in operation within the Department of Foreign Affairs. Whenever an outrage takes place in the only democracy in the Middle East, that is, Israel, of which tragically there have been many, the Department, the Government and public opinion takes an extremely hard line. In this instance, however, although there is the prospect of a possible tragedy of enormous proportions in Iran, there is almost complete silence from this House, from those who usually march to the gates of Leinster House, from the Government and from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Consequently, I agree with Senator Corrigan that strong statements are needed from this House, the Minister and the Government. As far as I am aware from media reports, there may have been progress in respect of this particular case. However, it is absolutely deplorable that any state could provide for the passing of such an horrific death sentence on a child or on an adult. Members need to express their disappointment on the lack of a Government response to date.