Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Ó Murchú in raising what seems to be increasing tension over the question of ISIS. It is incumbent on our Government to take an independent line on international affairs, as it has always done traditionally. Specifically, we should be calling for an end to the civil war in Syria rather than for bombing more people, which inevitably results in a high cost in terms of civilian lives. To realise this, we have only to see the consequences in the form of an upsurge in the number of Syrian refugees. The refugees are ordinary, decent people. A significant number of them were, like us, living normal lives but they have been bombed out of their homes or threatened with bombs or murder. The key to this is ending the civil war in Syria. I hope that in the ongoing talks in Vienna, in which the so-called great powers, including the Russians, the British and the French - and now the Germans - are getting involved, some resolution will be reached. The United States and those supporting it in attempting to remove President Assad should change their tactics. We saw what happened in Iraq when the Americans got rid of Saddam Hussein. Instead of maintaining the infrastructure that was in place, they destroyed it.Now look what we have. Is there going to be a similar situation in Syria? One should end the war and then start political negotiations. Churchill famously said that jaw-jaw was better than war-war and that statement still holds true some 70 years after he said it.

Will the Leader say when the Bill on the reduction in bankruptcy years, to be published next week, will come before the House? Will it be a Seanad Bill or a Dáil Bill? It is very important that this Bill is brought through both Houses as quickly as possible, particularly in light of the imminent general election. I compliment Deputy Willie Penrose, who doggedly and, initially, single-handedly fought on this issue. I and others raised it when the then Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, was taking the bankruptcy Bill through the House. I asked repeatedly, on Second Stage and on Committee Stage, why we differed from the UK in this regard and why one could be declared bankrupt after one year in the UK but 12 years here. It did not make sense and I am glad the Labour Party has seen the error of its ways in this regard and now supports Deputy Penrose's proposals. I understand the decision has been taken at Cabinet and the Bill will be published next week. It is important and it is incumbent on the Government to introduce the legislation as quickly as possible. Without having had any prior discussion with colleagues on this side of the House, I assume there will not be any major opposition from Fianna Fáil to the efficient passing of this legislation.