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SEPTEMBER THE 11TH ATTACK

Welcome to the 21st Century!

The tragic events of September the 11th demonstrate in a very dramatic form not only mans inhumanity to man but also how fragile our hold on this concept of human rights can be even in the West. It is alarming to see how quickly Governments all over the world have used the cover of the "War Against Terrorism" to whittle away civil liberties.It is vital in these circumstances to have strong critical voices available to sound the alarm against any erosion of these essential values of our civilisation.

I find it very chilling indeed that informed commentators in the West and formerly reputable political sources can apparently contemplate with equanimity the use of torture and the abrogation of many aspects of the Geneva Convention. How can we possibly fight for Western values of human rights, democracy and tolerance if we are simultaneously systematically undermining these very values. In addition I feel that we must, the world community, address the underlying inequalities that can foster fanaticism.

I fully endorse the recent call by United Nations High Commissioner Mary Robinson for the inexorable march of economic globalisation to be paralleled by ethical globalisation. Unless we learn to share this small planet with more equity and compassion then we are certainly heading for catastrophe.

FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES

I have always stood for an ethical foreign policy despite the fact that virtually all Governments tend to give priority to short term financial advantage over moral issues.


EAST TIMOR

Since the last election the brave people of East Timor have secured their independence from Indonesia. It was a long bloody and destructive struggle and we in Ireland can be very proud of the role played by Tom Hyland of the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign. However it is all too easy for the world's gaze to be diverted from the continuing difficulties of the Timorese. As a result of the disturbances there is virtually no infrastructure left I am working with Tom Hyland and his companions to raise funds in order to build a village school so that in some small way we can help to rebuild the fabric of Timorese society. I welcome the appointment of an Ambassador to Dili but have called for this to be made a full residential post to reflect the solidarity between the peoples of Ireland and East Timor.

IRAQ

Iraq lies at the very cradle of civilisation. It was here that the first real development of a legal system took place. It is ironic then that such a beautiful and ancient country with its massive natural resources should have been placed in the hands of a brigand like Saddam Hussain. The real sufferers in this equation are the ordinary members of the civilian population. I recently visited Baghdad in the company of other Irish parliamentarians to investigate the impact of sanctions on the civilian population especially children. I am glad to say I was able to smuggle in a suitcase full of medicine for a children's hospital we were visiting. We were received by the number two in the Iraqi administration Tariq Aziz. He was inclined to hector our delegation and I am glad to say that my status as an independent member enabled me to ensure that there was a full and free exchange of opinions and that our side, certainly in my contribution, expressed itself in terms at least as robust as Dr. Aziz on human rights issues.

ISRAEL/PALESTINE

Regrettably the Middle East seems to be sinking further into the quagmire of violence. This is a part of the world I know very well having visited it innumerable times over the last twenty five years and maintaining strong connections there on both sides of the divide. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee I have had discussions over the years with both Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat. Although I strongly believe in the right of Israel to exist I have consistently used my contacts with the Israeli foreign office to challenge some aspects of their policy such as the policy of targeted assassination which I regard as serious human rights abuse. I have also naturally expressed outrage to my Arab contacts about the continued use of suicide bombing and have attempted to use our experiences in the North of Ireland to suggest to both parties a path towards peace and reconciliation. However there is no doubt that any progress in this area will be hard and tortuous.


THAILAND, HIV/AIDS AND TRAFFICKING WOMEN AND CHILDREN

I have just returned from a visit to Thailand where I was invited to lead a delegation of European parliamentarians to investigate the situation regarding HIV/Aids and the trafficking in women and children for the purposes of prostitution. In some ways this was a harrowing trip but it also gave me great hope because of the human spirit demonstrated by the wonderful Thai people working in these areas. The Thai authorities have stabilized the rate of HIV infection and are now manufacturing their own genetic drugs. In the highlands of Thailand the mountain tribes have very little resources except their human potential. Deprived of the appropriate drugs they use herbal remedies and diet to control the development of the disease. In a very moving way of all the entire community tends to gather around in support of those who become ill. One of the projects I visited had the appropriate name of the New Hope Foundation.

TRINITY COLLEGE


I was instrumental in rescuing the Trinity Bill from serious technical difficulties in which it landed in the Oireachtas. The authorities of Trinity recognised my crucial contribution in correspondence with me. This Bill was a very significant privilege for Trinity giving it exceptional status among the other Irish universities and copper fastening for all time academic freedom and independence. I am proud of my record in this matter.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY


I have been Chairman of the Friends of the Library for the last fifteen years. When I took over the Society was virtually bankrupt but for many years now it has been in a position to fund developments in the library, from its resources which come not only from membership dues but also from social and cultural events run by the Friends. Among the projects we have assisted are the refurbishment of the Henry Jones Room (22,850 Euro) and replacement of the blinds in Long Room (3,648 Euro). The Friends funded the William Mackey Bursary and helped in the acquisition of a number of rare books such as the purchase of a first edition of Farquhar's "Beaux Stratagem" and contributed 11,500 Euro Irish towards the purchase of "Aibidil""the first book printed in Irish type in Ireland, published in 1572.

METRO

During the last session I secured a major amendment to the Dublin Transport Bill providing for an underground railway system in Dublin. This was strongly opposed by Government at the time but I managed to get it voted through. In this session I also secured amendment of Government legislation to make provision for an underground line in Central Dublin. I am delighted that the Minister has now announced that the Metro for Dublin has gone out to tender. I shall be watching this situation carefully to ensure that Dublin gets the best deal for its traffic.


TAX PLIGHT FOR UNMARRIED COUPLES

Over the last few years various people have drawn to my attention anomalies in which people living together outside marriage, whether or not in a sexual relationship, who had contributed to the development of the home found it prejudiced by the provisions of Inheritance Tax. I made this argument on the Finance Bill two years ago so persuasively that in the Budget a year ago Charlie McCreevy T.D., Minister for Finance in response to my urging created an amelioration for people who find themselves in this circumstance.


LEGAL RECOGNITION FOR PARTNERSHIP OUTSIDE MARRIAGE

I am currently preparing a Private Members Bill to protect the rights of adults who find themselves in relationships outside the conventional bonds of marriage. I support the institution of marriage, but many young people are making arrangements in their personal lives outside the formalities of marriage and also need to be supported in the creation of mature stable relationships.


NICE TREATY

Although a strong supporter of our involvement in Europe and of the enlargement of the community I spoke and voted against the Nice Treaty because of the Government's refusal to come clean about the military implications. In an attempt to be helpful I tabled an amendment including in our accession a protocol very similar to that successfully secured by the Danes despite their NATO membership which would give us freedom to exclude ourselves from joining new military alliances without full democratic discussion. Regrettably the Government did not accept this. I represented the Independents at the opening of the Forum on Europe established by the Government but my considered view is that if the Government do not make some movement in the direction of protecting our neutrality it may well be that the second Referendum would also fail.


WOMENS RIGHTS

I have supported vigorously the rights of part time workers who are overwhelmingly women to equal treatment. I have cooperated closely with the national organisation of women in various projects including the attempt to secure the next bank holiday to be declared as a holiday in honour of the contribution of women to Irish Society.

ABORTION REFERENDUM

I opposed this referendum both in Seanad Eireann and on public platforms. I did so because I do not believe the Constitution is the correct place for this kind of material also on the grounds of compassion for the victims of rape, incest and for those women who find themselves in the tragic situation of being legally obliged by the State to bring to full term an encephalic or other unviable foetuses. I naturally therefore welcome/regret the result of this referendum which I accept as the democratic wish of the people.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Since the last election we have had a succession of tragedies such as the Omagh Bombing. It has been a painful period but I am glad that the people of the North of Ireland have retained their democratic institutions in the Assembly. I believe that this is a very positive development and that as Ministers and politicians from radically different political perspective work together it can only lead to greater community harmony.

HEALTH

I continually raised the question of conditions in hospitals and mental institutions such as St. Ita's in Portrane. I voted in favour of the expansion of the Hepatitis C Tribunal to cover a number of excluded and tragic cases including that of Mrs. McCole. I raised the question of the exploitation of junior hospital doctors and the continued funding of the Adelaide Hospital.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

I have been ferociously critical of the attitudes of the major banks and their cavalier treatment of their customers. Although I could not support the notion of compensation for Eircom investors I was the first person to raise the question of small investors being compelled to sell their holdings to major financial institutions at a loss. I questioned the constitutionality of this and asked the Government to change the law if necessary.

REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

I have raised this general issue on many occasions in the Seanad. I have also personally and successfully dealt with a number of tragic individual cases. I believe that we should be both wise and prudent in dealing with this complex human problem. It is vital that the necessary procedures should be clearly detailed and humanly followed and I continue to monitor this area carefully.

ENVIRONMENT

I have spoken effectively on the question of toxic waste and illegal dumping. I have consistently spoken out about the dangers of Sellafield and the prevarications of British Nuclear Fuels. It pains me that Britain should continue to be a bad neighbour in this regard. I raised the question of unfair vehicle tax on the environmentally friendly electric bicycle with the Minister and am glad to see that he has now removed the inappropriate tax as a result.

LIST OF AMENDMENTS ACHIEVED

List of amendments achieved during the last session I secured significant amendments to a wide variety of Government bills including the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Bill 2002, the Sustainable Energy Bill 2001 (two amendments accepted), 8 amendments to the Planning and Development Bill, 1 amendment to the Architectural Heritage Bill and in the last few weeks no less than 12 amendments accepted in principle by the Minister in the Competition Bill. List of adjournment debates.

STOP PRESS

I have been selected on more occasions than any of my colleagues to represent Ireland and the Senate at meetings of the Interparliamentary Union. I have been a very active participant at this meetings raising subjects such as Tibet, East Timor, the Worlds Aids problem and environmental issues. My strong comments at this meetings have frequently been featured in the international press. As I write I am just leaving for Marrakesh for the 107th Interparliamentary meeting where I have been asked to contribute on matters such as the Kyoto Agreement and Globalisation.

  
 
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