David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Inspired by Senator McDowell, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that, instead of No. 4 taking place at 12:30 p.m., we have a new No. 4, statements on the appointment of judges. Hopefully, the Tánaiste would be present, but even if she was not, we could have statements at 12:30 p.m. after the conclusion of the Order of Business.

Regarding Syria, a matter raised by my Green Party colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, the Russians are committing war crimes daily and have been doing so for some time, but the American position is weak because it supported the state of Israel when it was doing exactly the same against Gaza. That is a problem. It remains to me a most extraordinary thing that international politicians at a senior level would seek to move abstract policy and the interests of their own countries forward at the expense of the misery of thousands upon thousands of people.

I support the Sinn Féin Senator's comments about the Palestinians' situation. I was there in a part that is rarely visited, namely, the Jordan valley, the day after demolitions. They are referred to as houses, but they are not houses at all. They are pathetic, flimsy, corrugated iron structures or tents. These are the lowest of the low. They have nothing. The appalling thing is that the land that is in contention is in the hands of the Christian churches, which - I speak as a Christian - do absolutely nothing to safeguard the Palestinians' rights. I support the call for a debate on this highly contentious issue.