David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is splendid. I thank the Cathaoirleach very much for that information. If this is a decision for the Committee for Procedure and Privileges then we will have time to discuss this matter. I hope it will be a positive decision, otherwise there will be no excuse for anybody to complain about it.

I also wish to raise the decision of the European Court of Human Rights that what happened to the hooded men was not torture. Of course it was torture. A blind bat could see that it was torture. This is extremely important. I do not refer to historical importance pertaining to the people involved in the case. This is used as a precedent by other countries, including the United States of America, to justify extraordinary rendition and torture, including waterboarding. This is where it leads. We have to stand up. The European Court of Human Rights is a creaky old body, and it does not like reopening cases. It has to be pressurised into doing this and I urgently ask that the Minister appeals this matter. It is essential that Ireland appeals this matter to the Grand Chamber. We cannot permit torture, which this plainly was. The European Court of Human Rights got it wrong. It was reluctant to reopen this case. It must do so in the name of humanity.