Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----and this is what the Bill is all about.

In view of the fact that the Tánaiste has indicated in writing to Senator Higgins, Senator Black and others that the Government will come back to this before the summer and in Government time, and the clear opportunity for us to amend the Bill to say that it is to be the law in Ireland but that its operation may be suspended as long as the Government of Ireland continues to certify six monthly that progress is being made on behalf of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution, the Bill will have achieved something if that is done. The eyes of the world are on us and how we deal with the Bill. We will have made our point. That we would be the first to do it is no reason not to do it.

I will make one last point that may amuse the House. On one occasion when I was Attorney General, I was having problems with Iveagh House. I will not go into the detail because confidentiality prevents me from doing so. I met a former civil servant who told me I was looking a bit down and I explained my problem. He said, "On sensitive European matters, there are always three stages in Iveagh House: the time when it would be premature to do something, the time when it is too sensitive to do something, and the time when it is too late to do something." I strongly believe that we in this House have to act now. It is not premature, it is not too sensitive and it will not be too late.