Order of Business - 9th April 2009

Order of Business - 9th April 2009
Senator David Norris: I agree with my colleague Senator Twomey that we need a full debate on the budget, particularly on the national property management agency, as I call it. I suggested it in the House four months ago. All the banks must be nationalised. If I am permitted to be heard by being reported, I wish to point out that I initiated and ran successfully two businesses in this city for many years, yet in many quarters I seem to be heard only if I am talking about James Joyce or buggery, and I am fed up to my back teeth with it. I hope there will be some coverage of the proceedings in this House and the important debates to which we will all contribute.
I want to talk a little about human rights. Since human rights have been blown off the agenda by the necessary financial debate, can we have a full debate on human rights, particularly on the case of Ms Pamela Izevbekhai? She is a woman who is protesting her innocence even though she has not been convicted of anything, yet two Governments are raised against her, the Irish Government and the Nigerian Government. Persons from within the Government in Nigeria have stated they are prepared to come over here. They have already been discredited for giving inappropriate testimony in a British court.
Official sources have been leaking information against one civilian during a court case. Two Governments are implicated and there are leaks. I want an inquiry into how this is done. We were not allowed to talk very much about this case because it was ongoing. How is it that prejudicial material can make its way into The Sunday Times against this individual, with two Governments against her, who is trying to protect her children?

An Cathaoirleach: That case is still before the courts.

Senator David Norris: I know it is but I have said nothing that is prejudicial. I have asked for and I demand an inquiry into the leaks.

An Cathaoirleach: I understand that.

Senator David Norris: I want a reply today from the Leader.
I and many others, including Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú on the Government benches, spoke out against the revolting practice of torture. We now know that medical personnel were involved in supervising and assisting in torture with the help of the CIA. This is based on a leaked report by the International Committee of the Red Cross. I do not believe we will really clean out that Augean stable until Bush is indicted and impeached. Cheney, Rumsfeld and that appalling disgrace to womanhood, Condoleezza Rice, should be indicted before the International Criminal Court.
On the issue of human rights, when will we receive the Civil Partnership Bill? My mailbox is full of appeals from Irish citizens who are caught by the absence of this legislation and the laziness of the Government in confronting it. Another US state is legalising full marriage between same sex couples but we have done nothing so far. We are punishing our own citizens.
All these matters must be addressed. I call for attention to be paid to the important financial debate in the House today. We are a second House of the Oireachtas but an important one. I also call for a full debate on human rights.