Seanad Report: Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrat members called for the adoption of a stronger line by the Government on what was happening in Iraq.
The Leader of the House, Mrs Mary O'Rourke, said it had been "sick-making" to see President Bush's open avowal of support for the US Defence Secretary, Mr Donald Rumsfeld. Recalling that she had, in the past, used the description "illegal, immoral and unjust" about the war on Iraq, she said she had got a "wigging" from a certain quarter because The Irish Times had been good enough to print what she had said. "It was conveyed to me that there was displeasure," she said.
Mr Labhras Ó Murchú (FF) said he still felt that we would suffer as a nation internationally if there was even a perceived acquiescence on our part with what was taking place in Iraq. It was not sufficient for members of the Oireachtas to express their abhorrence at the unfolding atrocities. "We have to be proactive and we have to get out from under the umbrella of the United States and Britain and take a stand as a sovereign nation." The first step that had to be taken was admission by the US that it was in the wrong. He called for the Seanad to give leadership on this matter.
Mr John Minihan (PD) said that the time had come when we should be seen to take action and to voice our concerns. The Minister for Foreign Affairs should talk to the US ambassador and there should be a commitment from our Government, particularly from the Taoiseach, that this matter would be raised with President Bush during his visit.
Ms Joanne Tuffy (Lab) said she hoped that this country could play a peace-keeping role in Iraq in order to extricate that country from the mess into which it had been put.
Ms Ann Ormond (FF) said that the latest pictures of the beheading of an American was the last straw. She asked if action could not be taken to ensure that people did not have to see such horrific images.
Mr Michael Finucane (FG) said that the war in Iraq had sunk to the lowest level of depravity, judging by the latest pictures from that country. It had been nauseous to see President Bush defend Donald Rumsfeld.
Mr David Norris (Ind) said that what was happening in Iraq went right to the top of the American administration. "If you have a commander-in-chief who openly states his intention to flout morality, to flout international law, to suspend the Geneva conventions, what can you expect of ordinary soldiers? This is where it goes to."
Mr Paschal Mooney (FF) said he was concerned about a suggestion that this country should become involved in a UN mission to Iraq, where there was no stability or security.
Mr Joe McHugh (FG) said that some British soldiers who had served in Northern Ireland had been involved in the abuse of prisoners. "Any true democrat in this country that backed the British involvement in the war in Iraq has blood on their hands."
Mr Jim Walsh (FF) said he would like to see a stronger condemnatory approach taken by the Government, particularly about the appalling images that had been seen on television recently.
Dr Mary Henry (Ind) said that a retired American general had said on US TV recently that President Bush should declare a victory and get out of Iraq before there were further atrocities.