Order of Business - 30th November 2006

Order of Business – 30th November 2006
Mr. Norris: I support my colleagues who have called for a debate on the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on collusion. It is a matter of grave concern and there seems to be strong evidence that there was such collusion. It is an appalling vista. However, unlike Lord Denning, I believe appalling vistas must be confronted as otherwise they will continue to recur. It pains me to think the British Government was involved in this kind of business, but it seems that it was. On the other hand, it would be helpful to consider the whole matter of collusion. I welcome what Senator Mansergh said that we ought to investigate the whole business, including the CIA involvement at Shannon Airport. In that matter I call on the Taoiseach to withdraw the statement he made in Brussels last night that Shannon Airport was not used in any way in rendition. This is so blatantly untrue that it damages the country. It has been absolutely factually established beyond any question of doubt that Shannon Airport is used and has been consistently used.

Mr. Daly: It has not been and is not used.

Mr. Norris: The report makes it very clear.

Dr. Mansergh: There is no basis for that claim.

Mr. Norris: The European Parliament committee deplored the stopovers in Ireland of aircraft which have been shown to have been used by the CIA for the extraordinary rendition of Ahmed Agiza, Mohammed El-Zari, Bisher Al-Rawi, Jamil El-Banna, Abou Elkassim Britel, Khaled El-Masri, Binyam Mohammed, Abu Omar and Maher Arar, the nine cases which have been clearly, factually and evidentially established.

Dr. Mansergh: None of them passed through Shannon Airport.

An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris-----

Mr. Norris: It is utterly wrong for the Taoiseach to disgrace Ireland by saying something that is blatantly untrue.

An Cathaoirleach: The Senator is now debating a matter which will be the subject of a future debate, at which time he may raise all the points made.

Mr. Norris: This House needs to send the message that it is inappropriate for the Taoiseach to engage in making blatantly untrue statements.

Dr. Mansergh: There is no basis for saying that.

Ms Ormonde: The Senator should withdraw that comment.

Mr. Norris: I would welcome the opportunity to clear up the matter. Let him come into the House and be questioned about it.

An Cathaoirleach: The Senator is completely out of order.

Mr. Norris: I shall bring myself back into order to pursue briefly one other matter. I ask for a debate on the age of consent. The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, indicated that his inclination was to reduce the age of consent to 16 years. Following widespread consultation, young people have said the same. I signal a warning to Fine Gael. When dealing in this House with the decriminalisation of homosexuality, a very fine Minister on the other side made a significant point about her refusal to introduce discrimination. Members on this side disgraced themselves by attempting to introduce a discriminatory age of consent for the purposes of political advantage. Unfortunately, I see Fine Gael tacking into the wind again on such issues. For example, it has come out against a reduction in the age of consent without any particularly good argument. It seems to believe it will be popular. Given our responsibility for young people, we must ensure our laws reflect the reality of what is happening on the ground and not introduce something for electioneering purposes that may garner a few votes from reactionary sources. Similarly, I understand a spokesperson in the other House opposed sections of the Colley report because they provided for adoption by same sex couples. This is done without any examination of the matter.

An Cathaoirleach: The Senator is seeking a debate.

Mr. Norris: These are people adopting their own children. I gave Fine Gael a bloody nose on this issue when it tried to do this during the discussion of the decriminalisation of homosexuality and would be very happy to do so again from this side of the House if it continues with its cheap electioneering.

Ms Terry: It is not cheap electioneering. We are entitled to our opinions, as the Senator is entitled to his.