Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish a happy St. Brigid's Day to the Acting Leader and all her friends in Kildare. I second the amendment proposed by Senator Mullen to the Order of Business. I would like to second the amendment proposed by Senator Flynn but I am not in a position to do so. I ask one of my colleagues to do so for her because it is an excellent Bill.

The case of Richard O'Halloran is over, thank God. I do not think anyone can accept plaudits for taking three years to get a person out of China. It is outrageous that it took that long. I certainly would not be thanking the Chinese Government or its ambassador for anything. It would be like thanking a kidnapper for kidnapping a person. What happened was outrageous, in my view.

My colleague, Senator Wall, referred to Cathal Brugha Barracks. I cannot for the life of me understand how any Minister would walk out and put a video up online announcing that the Government is closing Cathal Brugha Barracks. It is the most iconic barracks in the country. It is the barracks from which Michael Collins left when he took the State back from the British. The bottom line is that it was a very poor show on the part of the Minister.

My colleague Senator Ó Donnghaile spoke about justice for the victims of Bloody Sunday. I fully support that. I do not believe anybody should be able to walk away under any amnesty whatsoever for atrocities carried out in Northern Ireland during the 40 years of the Troubles. I support a truth and justice system, if we can get one in place, but I do not under any circumstances support the call by the British Prime Minister for an amnesty. Those who are guilty of crimes must be brought to justice. I looked at the Ballymurphy case in particular. To me, that looked like a couple of thugs on top of a building using real live humans for target practice. It is absolutely disgusting. It is no secret that I served in the British Army, but I certainly have no time for and no truck with the individuals who were involved in either of those events. To me, it was a complete breakdown of command and control in Derry on that day. I know that people in Northern Ireland do not agree with me-----