Order of Business - 25th October 2007

Order of Business - 25th October 2007

I support Senator Harris’s point. It is obvious, and I have said it many times, we should play to our strengths. It is nonsense to say our hands are tied by the CPP. The CPP is supposed to represent the views of the elected Members. On this issue it clearly does not. When Senator Harris spoke a murmur of agreement passed across the Chamber so let us have some action. Last session I mounted a long campaign and eventually squeezed a measly ten minutes extra for the Order of Business but we are still in trouble. Senator Harris is right, we should play to our strengths.
I share Senator Fitzgerald’s concerns and am glad she raised this question of child trafficking. As a result of this morning’s disclosures we know that 320 children, many from African countries, entrusted to the care of the HSE in care facilities have gone missing. Two of them, teenage girls, turned up in brothels. That is an astonishing to have happened.
I welcome the establishment of the committees. It was high time they were established. I am glad my colleagues have put me again on the Committee on Foreign Affairs. I call for a debate on the situation in Cuba particularly in light of the extraordinary attack by President George W. Bush in the last 24 hours. He is man of extraordinary effrontery and a stranger to truth. He unexpectedly and unwittingly hit a correct note when he said there was a gulag on Cuba. There is, and he should know because he is its proprietor. It is called Guantanamo Bay. The United States harbours terrorists, including a terrorist who blew up a civilian aircraft in Cuban airspace, and arrested the agents who are trying to protect civilians against that.

An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator seek a debate on that?

Senator David Norris: Let us have a debate on Cuba-----

An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator seek a debate on that?

Senator David Norris: That was the general drift of my remarks. I noted that Senator Coffey seconded Senator Bacik’s motion but in case that was not in order I am happy to do it. Like the call for an extension of the Order of Business and a recognition of its signal importance, there was agreement throughout the House by members of different parties that this is an important matter and I am happy to second it.

An Cathaoirleach: There are 60 Senators in the House, all entitled to make contributions on the Order of Business, but we have only 40 minutes and my hands are tied. I can let somebody ramble for the 40 minutes, but what happens to everybody else? I have no intention of doing that. In a short time I will have to cut in and leave out people who could not speak yesterday or today because people have overrun their speaking time.

Senator David Norris: If that happens I will call a vote every day on the Order of Business. It is nonsense to say our hands are tied by the CPP. Let use get at the CPP and untie them. It is an abuse of democracy and I will not stand for it.

An Cathaoirleach: That motion was agreed by this House. Senator Norris has the right to call a vote each morning if he wishes. I cannot stop him.

Senator David Norris: No, the Cathaoirleach cannot.