Seanad report: Given what Ireland had done to facilitate US military operations in Iraq, we should be concealing, not highlighting, the Irish citizenship of kidnapped aid worker Ms Margaret Hassan, said Mr David Norris (Ind).
So far, no female hostage had been beheaded. "But I have to say I wouldn't be pushing her Irish citizenship, and I think there is something rather silly about Irish politicians posturing as if we are in a position to negotiate on anything. I would be concealing her Irish citizenship. This country allowed itself to be included willy-nilly in the so-called coalition of the willing. Shannon Airport was used to transport 350,000 troops."
Several Government members shouted: "Not true."
Mr Norris: "It is true. Go and look at the record. Someone said the other day, 'at least we got €25 million for it.' Is there a price on the suffering of the Iraqi people?"
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Paul Murphy, was in the distinguished visitors' gallery when Mr Labhras Ó Murchú (FF) described the invasion of Iraq as a monumental disaster. Until Britain and the US were removed from the equation, no progress would be made, he added.
Mr Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House, said it was a matter of immense contradiction that the group responsible for the recent murder of Mr Ken Bigley had argued that Iraqi women were being unlawfully detained.
"Here is another Iraqi woman who is being unlawfully detained in Iraq. She should be released forthwith."
Mr Brendan Ryan (Lab) said that what had devalued the capacity of countries such as ours to have influence on moral issues was that they were selective in what activities they described as deplorable.
Fine Gael suffered an embarrassment on a law and order issue. A PDs motion was debated commending the Government and the Minister for Justice for their restated commitment to expand the Garda by 2,000.
A Fine Gael amendment condemning the failure of the Government to deliver on its pre-election promise of 2,000 additional gardaí was moved by justice spokesman Mr Maurice Cummins. But the Cathaoirleach, Mr Rory Kiely, ruled that the amendment had to fall because it was not seconded.
Mr Noel Coonan said later he was never informed that he was to second the motion and the mix-up arose due to a misunderstanding.
He had spent the afternoon in Leinster House with a delegation from North Tipperary. "Nobody told me I was scheduled to second the motion," he said.