Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I wish to address two matters. Previously, there was a call for a debate on the situation in the Middle East which I ask the Leader to try to arrange as soon as possible. Two or three weeks ago there were claims about certain comments apparently made by the Israeli deputy ambassador which caused difficulty for some Members. There were disputes over whether they were accurate. However, there can be no dispute about the accuracy of comments made on Tuesday by the Iranian Vice President, Mr. Mohammad-Reza Rahimi. This gentleman, speaking on behalf of Iran, claims Jews are behind the global trade in illegal drugs, murder black babies and were responsible for the 1917 Bolshevik revolution in Russia. These inane, insane comments from a representative of the Iranian Government clearly show the politics of the Middle East are not as black and white as some of the proponents of the anti-Israeli brigade proclaim. We need a debate on this issue as soon as possible.

I was absent for the comments of Senator Ivana Bacik, but I very much support those of Senator Fidelma Healy Eames.

As we all know, there is an expert group meeting to consider the question of abortion. I have no difficulty whatsoever with expert groups. They bring their expertise to the table, but they may also bring their personal prejudices with them. The expert group will be presenting a report to the Oireachtas and the Government, which will then make decisions. It is the Oireachtas that will make decisions, not the expert group. It would be helpful to have a debate on the broad issue of abortion and the right to life, which subject is not only before the expert group but which also will be before the people in the very near future. A decision will be made thereon not by the expert group but by politicians and the people. Presumably, during the course the summer recess, the expert group will issue its report, but a message must be sent loudly and clearly that it is politicians and the Government who will make decisions and, if necessary, take decisions to the public for a recommendation. An expert group's advice is simply advice and does not have to be accepted or rejected. A calm, reflective debate in this House on the subject would be helpful and might even help the expert group in helping it to know what the representatives of the people believe.