Order of Business - 16th May 2006

Order of Business - 16th May 2006

Mr. Norris: I concur with Senator O’Toole that
this is an unofficial strike which does not have
union sanction and that unions have behaved
responsibly. It is somewhat unfair to transfer by
analogy events taking place within the rail
services to Aer Lingus in an attempt to discredit
those, such as myself, who oppose privatisation.
This unofficial strike is undemocratic, inappropriate
and damaging to tourism. Many of us
heard the anger expressed on the radio by foreign
visitors to our shores.
I commend the staff of St. Patrick’s Cathedral
on their humane approach to the awkward
situation in which a group of about 40 Afghans
have camped in the cathedral. Although I understand
the reservations of the Minister for Justice,
Equality and Law Reform, it would be useful
were he to meet them without giving any commitments.
These people are in despair and have indicated
they will starve themselves to death. They
come from an appalling country, in which their
lives are plainly at risk. Given that we are seeking
favourable treatment for our own vulnerable emigrants
to the United States of America, we ought
to be sensitive in our treatment of these people
rather than drive them into a corner. They have
shown the imagination and capacity to come here
in difficult circumstances. They would be an
addition to this country. The Minister could, as
happened in Belgium, meet these people without
commitment. Belgium allowed them to stay, and
that would be the decent thing to do especially in
light of the appalling record of those charged by
us to examine people’s cases. There is at least one
person who has boasted that he has never let anybody
in. That is not good enough. We should
investigate this.
I support the calls for a debate on the Middle
East, especially Palestine. The United States and
the European Union have behaved disgracefully
in refusing to allow funds to go to a democratically
elected government. While it may not
be of the complexion we would welcome, it is
elected and, as Senator Ryan said, the civilian
population is being used as a lever. While we
were abroad on parliamentary business last week
I saw on the BBC World Service a father grieving
by the bedside of his nine year old son, waiting
for him to die as a result of lack of parts for a
kidney dialysis machine. The doctor explained
that the boy was drowning in his own waste products
and would inevitably die owing to a lack of
equipment that should have been supplied. The
funds for such equipment are being withheld. The
death of that boy, which is now taking place, is a
reproach to the conscience of decent people
everywhere and we should put pressure on our
Government to ensure at least the basic elements
of welfare for this suffering people.