David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome and support Senator Power's motion concerning the recognition of the state of Palestine.

The Cathaoirleach himself recalled the Seanad, most unusually, during the summer to discuss Gaza during the appalling onslaught on it by Israel. It is a horrifying situation to think that the Euro-Med agreement exists with human rights protocols attached to it but which are never even monitored. There were clear violations of international human rights and war crimes committed, yet we continue as if absolutely nothing had happened.

In the wider sphere of the United Nations, a majority of states now recognise Palestine including a growing number of European states such as Sweden. It would be very timely if we recognised Palestine. This should put some pressure on the State of Israel which seeks to frustrate any efforts at any stage where there is a possibility of peace. Even as we speak, the Israelis are continuing with their illegal programme of settlement development. I strongly support this motion and gather it will go through with unanimous agreement, which is significant in itself. I hope it will soon be translated into action.

I also want to raise the issue of Watergate. I am not referring to Irish Water but the death of a great man of the press, Ben Bradlee. While some Members might be too young to remember it, I recall the excitement, the cloak and dagger atmosphere of meetings in basements of government buildings in Washington, Deepthroat and the writing of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. This was real investigative journalism. We get a lot of pap in this country of prurient, poking, nosing and snivelling writing by journalists which is then dressed up as investigative journalism. Like hell it is. Anyone who wants to see what investigative journalism is, let them look at the Watergate scandal and the way it was covered by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein under the direction of Ben Bradlee.