Order of Business - 13th October 2005

Order of Business – 13th October 2005

Mr. Norris: We are due another debate on
Northern Ireland in light of the defence of Fr.
Alec Reid by Senator McCarthy. I respect Fr.
Reid, as he has done honourable, good and historic
work. However, it was not acceptable for
him to say what he did, which I heard clearly. He
said the Unionist community behaves like Nazis.
This is not correct and many members of that
community will be offended because their relatives
died fighting fascism in Europe while the
IRA collaborated as much as it could with the
Nazis. One recalls the tale of Mr. Sea´n Russell,
the IRA’s chief of staff, returning to Ireland in a
German submarine.
It would be dangerous to travel down these
roads and we must bear in mind the notion of
parity of esteem. People should be very ashamed
of some acts, such as the Shankill butchers.
However, a good point made was that the Protestant
community has never supported these butchers.
They never get anywhere politically and
are wiped out electorally whereas Sinn Fe´ in, the
political representative of the provisional IRA, is
now the principal Nationalist party in the North.
We should put these elements in context. While
I honour Fr. Reid’s work, his comments were
regrettable. I, like everyone else, have put my
foot in it several times.
Mr. Minihan: More than most.
Mr. Norris: Fr. Reid graciously withdrew those
comments. The President and now Fr. Reid have
[Mr. Norris.]
made such comments; this type of inflated language
should stop.
Will the Acting Leader determine the exact
status of the Health and Social Care Professionals
Bill 2004, which I understand has not been
enacted? Would it be possible to amend the Bill
to include chiropractors in its provisions, as they
meet the five criteria listed? The public is unprotected
as people who are not qualified despite
universal qualifications existing throughout
Europe can establish themselves as chiropractors
and do serious damage.
Will the Acting Leader arrange a debate on the
people involved in the Shot at Dawn Campaign?
A total of 26 young Irish soldiers who volunteered
during the First World War were shot at
dawn for rebellion or insubordination simply for
not wearing filthy, wet hats in the trenches while
they were suffering from shell shock. New
Zealand has publicly exonerated its six soldiers
treated in this way and awarded the medals their
sacrifices deserve. Is the Government pressing
this matter?