Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I applaud Senator Mullins for raising the issue of the unfortunate deceased, Troy Davis. As a member of the Council of Europe, I had occasion to visit the US with the relevant sub-committee. All members of the Council of Europe oppose the death penalty and I was part of an unsuccessful lobbying effort in the state of Illinois whose then governor had decided to introduce a moratorium on death row following a survey carried out by a group of legal students in Chicago which proved there were serious doubts about the convictions of many of those who had been condemned to be executed by the state. That followed a survey carried out by a group of legal students in Chicago which proved serious doubts about the convictions of many of those who were condemned to be executed by the state. As a result, the governor introduced a moratorium and Illinois has now abolished the death penalty.

I understand there is a convention in the United States that if in any changes to the US Constitution a total of 18 states subscribe to the view, there is then a sense of a need for change, with the US Supreme Court usually intervening and overturning the law. I understand 13 or 14 states currently outlaw the death penalty. In light of the comments made here and unanimously agreed, the Government should express serious concerns about the manner of latest execution.