Order of Business - 16th February 2006

Order of Business - 16th February 2006
I draw the Leader’s attention to an issue I regret is once again missing from the Order of Business, namely, the proposed terms of reference for the Committee of Selection of the Seanad to inquire into the passage of CIA aeroplanes through Shannon Airport. I raised this issue at the end of November 2005 and on 6 December the Leader gave what seemed to be a clear commitment that the committee would be established. She had received advice from the Clerk and we were to have meetings to consider its terms of reference. We have had some such meetings but others have recently been cancelled at short notice.
I addressed my growing concerns in this regard to a number of Government sources yesterday and I now understand this committee is dead in the water. This is regrettable and I ask the Leader to explain, if it is true, why this is the case. Where did the pressure come from to prevent the establishment of such an inquiry? I hear the Government had some part in the decision, as well as local councillors from the Shannon area. It seems extraordinary that the Seanad should be run by local authorities rather than deciding its own business.
Mr. Callanan: That is democracy.
Mr. Norris: It is not democracy. It may be other Members’ understanding of democracy but it is not mine and I doubt it is that of the public.
Today we have another report from the United Nations committee which recommends that the Guantanamo Bay detention centre should be closed immediately. It will be dreadful if we allow ourselves to be compromised in this regard. It seems we have once more given into pressure. The Leader has been forthright on the issue of the Iraq war and gave a clear commitment in regard to this inquiry. We are entitled to know why it has been shut down, especially in view of the performance of this grey little Government that seems so intimidated by the United States authorities and even by councillors from the Shannon area.
The Government is clearly making a mistake in taking this action. The cat is already out of the bag given the establishment of a committee of the Council of Europe to consider the matter and the initiation of several court cases in Europe. This secret will out and the Government’s action seems very much like evidence of a guilty conscience. It is worried about something. Why should it be concerned about such an inquiry? The terms of reference were simply to establish facts.
A Senator: Nonsense.
It is not nonsense. Let us have a debate on this matter. Senator Dooley is nodding in agreement. Perhaps more Members from the Government parties will also agree. I thank Senator Dooley for his suggestion and formally propose an amendment to the Order of Business to allow us discuss the establishment of this inquiry and its proposed terms of reference, which have already been agreed. We received legal advice on the matter and know how to proceed and Members have been selected for participation. Let us have a debate on this today.
Mr. Mooney: I know Senator Norris’s question is directed at the Leader and I am sure she will reply. I am spokesperson on foreign affairs and have a particular interest in this area. Ongoing investigations into rendition are being led by Senator Dick Marty who is a colleague of Senators Bradford, Ormonde and myself on the Council of Europe. The European Parliament has also embarked on an investigation. The Government is co-operating with both investigations.
When this issue first arose, the Government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, asked the American Administration about the possible illegal transportation of persons through Shannon Airport. The answer that was specific to Ireland initially——
Mr. Norris: It was a lot of lies.
Mr. Mooney: ——from Condoleezza Rice was that nothing illegal was going on.
11 o’clock
Mr. Norris: She knew that was not true and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, knew that was not true. It is a cover-up.
Mr. Mooney: In the context of the relations between Ireland and America, where the head or representative of a friendly nation makes such a definitive statement, which was subsequently made to the heads of European governments, then it would be not only churlish but extremely dangerous to the relationship between this country and America to turn around and indicate that somehow they were telling lies. In order to put in context what Senator Norris——
Mr. Norris: She admitted that they were using white noise, hooding and sleep deprivation.
An Cathaoirleach: Order please.
Mr. Mooney: If Senator Norris wishes to have a side-swipe at the good relations——
Mr. Norris: The Irish Government obtained a judgment on torture from the European Court.
Mr. Mooney: ——between Ireland and America, if he wishes to deprive the people of the Shannon area of jobs,——
An Cathaoirleach: We cannot have statements on the Order of Business. An amendment is proposed to the Order of Business and we will have to deal with that first. We cannot have a debate on the matter now.
Mr. Mooney: ——if he is prepared to put away the jobs and the interests of those in the Shannon area by having a go at the Government and by his constant anti-American stream——
Mr. Norris: So it is question of jobs versus torture. Now it is out in the open. That is very useful.
Mr. Mooney: If he wants to do that, I will not stand over it.
Mr. Norris: So it is a question of murky morality. Morality for sale Mr. Mooney.