Order of Business - 3rd July 2007

Order of Business – 3rd July 2007
Mr. Norris: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his career. He will be missed. Apart from anything else, God alone knows what we will be landed with in his place. Speaking of which, I welcome back Senator Cassidy whose return shows the Government has been influenced by the Green Party and is intent on a campaign of recycling.
This place is getting more like a nature reserve every day. I think of the great medieval poet who wrote, "Sumer is icumen in. Lhude sing cuccu!" or The Irish Times column which always had letters such as, "I heard a cuckoo today. Is this a record? J. Laytham, Brigadier". There are plenty in the House today. We could rechristen the Senate the cuckoo's nest because of all the people parachuted in for two days to receive parking privileges. This shows how seriously the Government takes this House and how seriously it will take Senator O'Toole's suggestion for Seanad reform.

Mr. Dardis: To which category does Senator Norris belong?

An Cathaoirleach: On the Order of Business.

Mr. Cassidy: There is a right bunch of cuckoos on the other side of the House.

Mr. Norris: With regard to today's business, will the Government consider withdrawing the Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill? Apart from anything else, it does not contain a definition of ethics. Does this mean the Government is a stranger to ethics and cannot define it because it does not know what it means? This is likely in light of the legislation on stamp duty. The Minister for Finance gave an undertaking that no change in stamp duty would occur. People acted on this promise and commitment, they bought houses and were landed with it.

An Cathaoirleach: This is a matter for debate when the legislation is before the House.

Mr. Norris: The Cathaoirleach is correct. However, I ask for the removal of the Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill. Consider what was cobbled together with the gene pool and people of like mind. There is a whiff off them that would blind almighty God and they do not have any problems about ethics. This Bill should be withdrawn until the Government understands what is meant by "ethics".
I propose a change to the Order of Business so the House can take No. 42, which states:
That Seanad Éireann, in the light of further disclosures about 'CIA Rendition Flights' to torture destinations and the involvement in these practises as victims of women and children, condemns such activities in the most unequivocal manner; and calls for the establishment of an International War Crimes tribunal to determine the guilt or innocence of the most senior US and British personnel.

Women and children are now rendered to Somalia to be tortured and we are
clearly implicated in this. I refer to the recent air display by some of these bombers in Galway and the statement of Major Samantha Weeks, one of the commanding officers. She stated Ireland has taken a stand with the United States for freedom, they want to spread goodwill with Ireland and other European allies, Ireland supports the United States in the war on terror and the Irish people are on the same page when it comes to freedom, human rights and democracy. We are not and the message should go out from this House that we do not support torture, mass civilian bombings or the use of chemical weapons or weapons of mass destruction. Nor do we wish to subvert conventions like President Bush or Mr. Blair. Thank God Mr. Blair is gone.