Order of Business - 1st July 2005

Mr. Norris: I do not agree with Senator Brian
Hayes’s comments on the Minister for Justice,
Equality and Law Reform. The case in Clonmel
is tragic and, as Senator Mansergh suggested, an
automatic inquiry should be held into such circumstances.
I am not sure it would have been
appropriate for the Minister to cite specific cases.
We are often told it is not appropriate to name
people in this House as it may rehash their grief.
As long as the instrument is available, and is
effectively used, it did not matter a damn in this
instance where it was announced. There are other
far more serious circumstances in which the
House is bypassed.
The tragic situation in Zimbabwe has been
raised several times in the past two weeks. We
heard of nuns trying to look after babies with
AIDS who had been thrown out onto the street.
However, there is some good news. I met with
Mr. Roy Bennett some 18 months ago. His case
was raised by me and some other Senators,
including Senator Ross who raised it on the
Adjournment and kindly shared time with me.
Yesterday I heard that Mr. Bennett had been
released from prison, partly as a result of efforts
of people in this House. That is something positive
on which to end the term.
I look forward to the introduction of legislation
in the autumn governing the rights of workers
coming to this county. I hope amendments will be
accepted in this House. Based on what we know
at the moment it is not generous legislation. In
America they ask for the huddled masses and the
poor. We ask the developing world for its doctors,
lawyers and graduates. We ask for all its talented
people and if they are really good we will let them
stay for five years. If we need them for any more
exploitation they can remain for another period
and then we will kick them out when we have
bled them dry. That is not the correct way to
approach this situation.